ASSESSMENTS OF FOOD HYGIENE PRACTICES AND THEIR PREDICTORS AMONG FOOD HANDLERS IN KISHI, IREPO LOCAL GOVERNMENT, OYO STATE

Abstract

Background: Poor food hygiene practices remain a significant public health problem globally, particularly in developing countries where food safety laws are weakly enforced. This situation has led to an increase in foodborne diseases, which contribute considerably to the worldwide burden of illness. Despite the known consequences of unsafe food handling, there is limited empirical evidence on the factors shaping food hygiene behaviors among food handlers in many communities. This study, therefore, examined food hygiene practices and their associated factors among food handlers in Kishi, Irepo Local Government Area of Oyo State. 
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was utilized for the study. The sample comprised one hundred and thirty-two (132) food handlers randomly selected in Kishi, with the sample size determined using the Leslie Kish formula. A well-structured questionnaire was used to elicit information from the respondents. Data analysis was subjected to Analysis of Variance using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and means separated using new Duncan Multiple range Test at 5 % confidence level. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies and percentages, were applied, while inferential statistics such as Pearson Product-Moment Correlation and t-test were used at a 0.05 significance level. 
Results: The demographic findings revealed that most respondents were female (90.2%), with a majority aged 38-77 years (84.1%), and 80.3% are married. Although 42.4% of respondents possessed adequate knowledge of food hygiene, only 23.2% practiced good food hygiene overall, indicating low compliance. The predictors of food hygiene among the food handlers in Kishi were food handlers’ hygiene level (56.8%), community sanitation (54.5%), regulatory institution (49.2%), and government 
contribution towards food hygiene (49.2%), respectively. A significant positive relationship was observed between food hygiene practices and some selected socio-economic status of the respondents (p < 0.05). 
Conclusion: The study concludes that food hygiene practices were poor among the respondents in Kishi, Irepo Local Government Area, and recommends training and financial support for the food handlers.