Food safety practices and associated factors among food handlers in food establishments in Adama town, Central Ethiopia

IntroductionFoodborne infections caused by a variety of variables pose serious public health risks, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality in poor nations like Ethiopia. However, the study contains a deficit in information about food safety practices and associated factors. Thus, this stud...

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Main Authors: Nimona Gemeda, Tamiru Yazew, Meseret Moroda, Chala G. Kuyu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-01-01
Series:Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2024.1471429/full
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author Nimona Gemeda
Tamiru Yazew
Meseret Moroda
Chala G. Kuyu
author_facet Nimona Gemeda
Tamiru Yazew
Meseret Moroda
Chala G. Kuyu
author_sort Nimona Gemeda
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionFoodborne infections caused by a variety of variables pose serious public health risks, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality in poor nations like Ethiopia. However, the study contains a deficit in information about food safety practices and associated factors. Thus, this study assessed food safety practices and influencing factors among food handlers in public food establishments in Adama town, Central Ethiopia.MethodsAn institution-based cross-sectional design was used for this study. A total of 319 food handlers were selected through systematic random sampling, with data collected through face-to-face interviews using the Kobo tool. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, binary and multivariate logistic regressions using SPSS V-27. Significant factors associated with food safety practices were determined based on Adjusted Odds Ratios (AOR), 95% Confidence Intervals (CI), and a significance level set at p < 0.05.Results and discussionThe findings revealed that 64.79% of food handlers exhibited commendable food safety practices. Factors significantly associated with the food safety practices included knowledge (AOR = 2.106, 95% CI: 1.23–3.606), attitude (AOR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.169–3.334), ownership status of the establishment (AOR = 2.65, 95% CI: 1.48–4.98), and monthly salary (AOR = 0.516, 95% CI: 0.293–0.906). Food safety practices among food handlers in public food establishments rank as medium compared to other studies conducted in the country. These findings indicates the vital role of education, awareness campaigns, and training programs in promoting safe food handling practices. Therefore, to ensure safe and healthy food, there is a need for targeted interventions, mainly focusing on improving food handler knowledge and attitudes, to enhance food safety standards in public food establishments. It is recommended that authorities and organizations prioritize significant factors identified in this study to reduce foodborne illnesses, ensure public health, and foster a culture of responsible food-handling practices.
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spelling doaj-art-97c8cecc22f04952b035c806b1cf6b912025-01-23T06:56:01ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems2571-581X2025-01-01810.3389/fsufs.2024.14714291471429Food safety practices and associated factors among food handlers in food establishments in Adama town, Central EthiopiaNimona Gemeda0Tamiru Yazew1Meseret Moroda2Chala G. Kuyu3Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Salale University, Fiche, EthiopiaDepartment of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Salale University, Fiche, EthiopiaDepartment of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Salale University, Fiche, EthiopiaDepartment of Postharvest Management, Jimma University College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Jimma, EthiopiaIntroductionFoodborne infections caused by a variety of variables pose serious public health risks, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality in poor nations like Ethiopia. However, the study contains a deficit in information about food safety practices and associated factors. Thus, this study assessed food safety practices and influencing factors among food handlers in public food establishments in Adama town, Central Ethiopia.MethodsAn institution-based cross-sectional design was used for this study. A total of 319 food handlers were selected through systematic random sampling, with data collected through face-to-face interviews using the Kobo tool. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, binary and multivariate logistic regressions using SPSS V-27. Significant factors associated with food safety practices were determined based on Adjusted Odds Ratios (AOR), 95% Confidence Intervals (CI), and a significance level set at p < 0.05.Results and discussionThe findings revealed that 64.79% of food handlers exhibited commendable food safety practices. Factors significantly associated with the food safety practices included knowledge (AOR = 2.106, 95% CI: 1.23–3.606), attitude (AOR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.169–3.334), ownership status of the establishment (AOR = 2.65, 95% CI: 1.48–4.98), and monthly salary (AOR = 0.516, 95% CI: 0.293–0.906). Food safety practices among food handlers in public food establishments rank as medium compared to other studies conducted in the country. These findings indicates the vital role of education, awareness campaigns, and training programs in promoting safe food handling practices. Therefore, to ensure safe and healthy food, there is a need for targeted interventions, mainly focusing on improving food handler knowledge and attitudes, to enhance food safety standards in public food establishments. It is recommended that authorities and organizations prioritize significant factors identified in this study to reduce foodborne illnesses, ensure public health, and foster a culture of responsible food-handling practices.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2024.1471429/fullfood handlingfood safetypracticespublic food establishmentEthiopia
spellingShingle Nimona Gemeda
Tamiru Yazew
Meseret Moroda
Chala G. Kuyu
Food safety practices and associated factors among food handlers in food establishments in Adama town, Central Ethiopia
Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems
food handling
food safety
practices
public food establishment
Ethiopia
title Food safety practices and associated factors among food handlers in food establishments in Adama town, Central Ethiopia
title_full Food safety practices and associated factors among food handlers in food establishments in Adama town, Central Ethiopia
title_fullStr Food safety practices and associated factors among food handlers in food establishments in Adama town, Central Ethiopia
title_full_unstemmed Food safety practices and associated factors among food handlers in food establishments in Adama town, Central Ethiopia
title_short Food safety practices and associated factors among food handlers in food establishments in Adama town, Central Ethiopia
title_sort food safety practices and associated factors among food handlers in food establishments in adama town central ethiopia
topic food handling
food safety
practices
public food establishment
Ethiopia
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2024.1471429/full
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