Food hygiene and safety measures among food handlers in street food shops and food establishments of Dessie town, Ethiopia: A community-based cross-sectional study.

In sub-Saharan Africa foodborne disease and foodborne disease outbreaks are frequently ascribed to poor personal hygiene of street food vendors and food handlers in food establishments. Evidence on the level of food hygiene practices and food safety measures among food handlers is required for proper planning and implementation of targeted interventions. In this study, we aimed to determine the level of food hygiene and safety measures among street food vendors and food handlers in food establishments of Dessie Town, Ethiopia.A community-based cross-sectional study was performed in Dessie town, Ethiopia from December 2013 to June 2014. Data were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire and an observational checklist by a trained data collector among 116 food handlers from 116 food establishments and 19 food handlers from 19 street food vendors. Multivariable logistic regression analysis with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to identify the factors significantly associated with good level of food hygiene and safety practices.Almost three-quarter (72%; 84/116) of food handlers in food establishments had a good level of food hygiene and safety practices compared to nearly half (53%; 10/19) of street food vendors. However, this difference was not statistically significant. Average monthly income of >$21 US (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 3.2; 95%CI: 1.3-7.7), availability of service training (AOR = 6.7; 95%CI: 1.8-25), wearing a gown during food handling (AOR = 19; 95%CI: 6.8-51) and medical checkup (AOR = 5.2; 95%CI: 2.1-13) were significantly associated with good levels of food hygiene and safety measures.Comprehensive health education and promotion programs through continuous training on food hygiene and safety, with promotion of wearing gown during food handling, regular medical checkups of food handlers and programs that enhance the monthly income of food handlers are promising strategies for promoting proper food handling practices in Dessie town, Ethiopia

Client related barriers for not utilizing trichiasis surgery, Mehalsayint district, South Wollo zone, North-east Ethiopia.

<p>Client related barriers for not utilizing trichiasis surgery, Mehalsayint district, South Wollo zone, North-east Ethiopia.</p

Determinants for not utilizing trichiasis surgery, Mehalsayint district, South Wollo zone, North-east Ethiopia.

<p>Determinants for not utilizing trichiasis surgery, Mehalsayint district, South Wollo zone, North-east Ethiopia.</p

Socio-demographic characteristics of respondents, Mehalsayint district, South Wollo zone, North-east Ethiopia.

<p>Socio-demographic characteristics of respondents, Mehalsayint district, South Wollo zone, North-east Ethiopia.</p

Service related barriers for not utilizing trichiasis surgery, Mehalsayint district, South Wollo zone, North-east Ethiopia.

<p>Service related barriers for not utilizing trichiasis surgery, Mehalsayint district, South Wollo zone, North-east Ethiopia.</p

Bivariate analysis of the level of food hygiene and safety measures among all food handlers from December 2013 to June 2014, Dessie town, Ethiopia.

<p>Bivariate analysis of the level of food hygiene and safety measures among all food handlers from December 2013 to June 2014, Dessie town, Ethiopia.</p

Foodborne illnesses reported by food handlers in street food shops and food establishments from December 2013 to June 2014, Dessie town, Ethiopia.

<p>Foodborne illnesses reported by food handlers in street food shops and food establishments from December 2013 to June 2014, Dessie town, Ethiopia.</p

Factors significantly associated with good level of food hygiene and safety measures among street food vendors and food handlers in food establishments in multivariable logistic regression analysis from December 2013 to June 2014, Dessie town, Ethiopia.

<p>Factors significantly associated with good level of food hygiene and safety measures among street food vendors and food handlers in food establishments in multivariable logistic regression analysis from December 2013 to June 2014, Dessie town, Ethiopia.</p

Socio-demographic characteristics of street food vendors and food handlers in food establishments from December 2013 to June 2014, Dessie town, Ethiopia.

<p>Socio-demographic characteristics of street food vendors and food handlers in food establishments from December 2013 to June 2014, Dessie town, Ethiopia.</p

Comparison of measures of food hygiene and safety among street food vendors and food handlers in food establishments from December 2013 to June 2014, Dessie town, Ethiopia.

<p>Comparison of measures of food hygiene and safety among street food vendors and food handlers in food establishments from December 2013 to June 2014, Dessie town, Ethiopia.</p