Consumers’ raw poultry washing practices: A cross-sectional and observational study in eight Southeast Asian countries

Consumers are recommended not to wash raw poultry before cooking since this practice increases risks of cross contamination with foodborne pathogens. However previous studies had identified that consumers were unaware of this incorrect behaviour. This study aims to assess consumers' self-reported and observed raw poultry washing practices in Southeast Asian (SEA) countries. A mixed method design was employed, with data collected via a cross-sectional survey across eight SEA countries, observational studies and semi-structured interviews conducted in Indonesia and Malaysia. Ninety-six percent (n = 2009) of surveyed participants reported that they washed raw poultry at home. Participants from Laos and Philippines, older, married and low-income participants reported washing raw poultry more frequently. The main reasons for washing raw poultry were to remove dirt, slime, blood or feathers and the act of washing makes them feel safer. Participants from Cambodia (OR = 2.855, p < 0.001), Indonesia (OR = 3.208, p < 0.001), Laos (OR = 3.012, p < 0.05), Malaysia (OR = 2.003, p < 0.05) and Thailand (OR = 2.148, p < 0.001) were 2.00–3.21 times more confident about not washing raw poultry upon understanding the rationale that washing does not reduce microbial load. Participants who purchased from supermarkets (OR = 1.785, p < 0.05) were significantly more confident about not washing raw poultry compared to other sources of raw poultry. Our observation study identified various cross contamination pathways including lack of hand hygiene practices, inadequate cleaning and sanitation procedures, and cross contamination of raw poultry and washed water to surrounding areas. Semi-structured interviews revealed that participants preferred to wash raw poultry due to the lack of cleanliness of raw poultry purchased from traditional markets and the act is ingrained in their cultural practice. Due to consumers' preference for freshly slaughtered poultry and perceived cleanliness of raw poultry purchased from traditional markets, hand hygiene practices during and after handling raw poultry and cleaning of kitchen sinks and surrounding areas with soap should be emphasised. Targeted food safety messages and educational campaigns suited to local cultural differences should be conducted. This study presents the first empirical findings on consumers’ raw poultry washing practices in eight SEA countries. Practical implications and further recommendations are provided

Pathways of change in a coastal resource system: Study from Kampong Trach district, Kampot province

Over the past several years, Cambodia’s coastal resources system has undergone considerable transformation. The causes have included uncontrolled fishing activities, tourism development, salt and shrimp farming, sand mining, and trade, to name just the most significant. Against this background, this study analyzes pathways of change over the past 15 years in coastal resource systems in two neighboring communities in the Kampong Trach district of Kampot province. The analysis proceeds on two different levels. We first look at change in respect of the cross-scale multiple drivers in the resource system at village level and its effects on the social and ecological components of the marine, intertidal and agricultural areas of the coastal zone. Then, at household level, we examine the diversity of adaptation measures adopted to deal with these changes, and evaluate their impacts on livelihoods. We argue that the degradation of fisheries resources in marine and intertidal zones results from drivers that originate outside and inside the communities, but mostly stems from problems of governance. Despite tangible improvements in rain-fed rice yield, the development of the farming sector is constrained by limited capacity to diversify and intensify production. The adaptation paths to this resources degradation squeeze are multiple. The few households who can afford to enhance or intensify their farming and fishing efforts usually manage to improve their food security status. But in a majority of cases, the adaptation works through a move away from the land and the sea, either through self-employed non-farm and non-fishing activities (local business associated with cross-border trade with Vietnam) or through wage labor. Self-employed activities and demand more capital but represent the main path of improvement in these communities. Wage labor - particularly associated with migration - has become widespread but its potential to improve food security is very limited. Accessing credit and going into debt is another significant way in which people have attempted to adapt either to address chronic food insecurity or to maintain the same level of productivity.The increase of mobility is a central element in adaptation strategy adopted by many who have been affected. This includes: mobility of labor (non-farm, wage and migration); the mobility of capital (e.g. conversion from marine zone fishing to trade); and mobility of landownership (occurring through market-based land concentration). However, we suggest that these processes of adaptation have actually reinforced the wealth disparity that exists between households. It has particularly exacerbated the vulnerability of those who are most dependent on small-scale fisheries

Consumers’ risk perception of vegetables in Southeast Asia: Evidence from Laos, Cambodia, and Viet Nam

Vegetable safety is a public concern in Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam—developing countries in Southeast Asia. Eliminating this concern requires insight into factors shaping it. Food risk perception might differ among countries due to the dissimilarities in culture, social, and economic conditions. However, an understanding on this difference is lacking in Southeast Asia. This paper is the first attempt to compare factors influencing risk perception of vegetables in Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Principle component analysis and ordered logit regression were employed on a sample of 1,199 consumers from the three countries. We found trust and perception of hazards influenced risk perception across countries. Gender shaped risk perception in Laos and Vietnam. The importance of vegetables and risk information determined risk perception in Vietnam only, while hazard knowledge and homegrown vegetables were predictors of risk perception solely in Cambodia. Since Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam are inhomogeneous in risk perception, policy measures to address food risk perception should be tailored to each country