A BASELINE ASSESSMENT OF THE KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES OF FOOD SAFETY AMONG FOOD VENDORS IN LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL (LASUTH) IKEJA.

Abstract

Background: Food safety constitutes a significant public
health issue both in the developed and developing
countries resulting in millions of illnesses and deaths
annually. The role of food vendors in ensuring food safety
cannot be overemphasized. This study assessed the
knowledge, attitudes and practices of food safety among
food vendors in Lagos State University Teaching Hospital
(LASUTH), Ikeja, Lagos.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted
among 67 food vendors operating at LASUTH, Ikeja.
Data was collected by means of a pre-tested interviewer
administered questionnaire and also an observational
checklist. The questionnaire was used to collect
information on food vendors knowledge and practices of
food safety while the observational checklist was used to
objectively assess food safety practices in each of the 8
registered food premises in the hospital. Data was
analysed using the SPSS software version 17.
Knowledge was graded as good (100 - 75%), fair (50-
74%) and poor (0 - 490%).
Results: A third of the food vendors were aged between
18-25 years. The majority were females (82%) and had a
minimum of secondary school education. Only 18% of
the respondents had good knowledge about food safety.
All respondents claimed to wash hands with water and
soap before preparing food and 97% claimed to wash
hands after using the toilet. However, direct observations
showed poor hand washing practice among food
handlers. A low utilization of protective wear was also
observed as only one canteen had its food vendors
cover their hair and none of the food vendors wore gloves
while serving ready to eat food.
Conclusions: A low utilization of protective wear was
also observed as only one canteen had its food vendors
cover their hair and none of the food vendors wore gloves
while serving ready to eat food.