Original Research Article
Year: 2022 | Month: September | Volume: 12 | Issue: 9 | Pages: 233-243
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20220930
Food Handler's Understanding Regarding Food Handling Knowledge and Practices and Contributing Factors to Those Practices of Selected Hospital Cafeterias in Dhaka, Bangladesh
Supriya Ghosh1,2, Sharmin Rumi Alim2
1Department of Food Technology and Nutrition Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali-3814, Bangladesh
2Institute of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh
Corresponding Author: Supriya Ghosh
ABSTRACT
Background: Food safety issues are a major concern for the globe and food related diseases impose a great burden on public health in both developed and developing countries.
Objectives: This research work is aimed at evaluation of the understanding of the food handler’s regarding their food handling knowledge and practices and contributing factors behind those practices of the selected hospital cafeterias in Dhaka city, Bangladesh.
Study Design: The study was cross-sectional in nature.
Methods: Purposive sampling method was used for selection of both hospital cafeterias and food handlers. A total of 8 hospital cafeterias were selected and 120 food handlers were assessed for knowledge and practice status. Data were collected through face-to-face interview of the food handlers by using a pretested questionnaire and observation checklist. SPSS version 25 statistical packages was used for data management and analysis. Percentage, chi-square test and logistics regressions were used to analyze the data.
Results: Among the 120 food handlers, 58 (48.4%) of them aged below 20 years and all (100%) were male. About two-third of the food handlers (70%) had educational level below secondary level. Only 46 (38.3%) of them had training regarding food preparation and handling. 76 (63.3%) of them had heard about food borne diseases. Majority (62.50%) of the food handlers had poor knowledge score. Practice score revealed that majority, 71.67% (86) of food handlers observed were poor in maintaining food handling practices. Univariate analysis showed that training status (P=0.000), educational level (P=0.000) and monthly income (P=0.031) had significant impact on food handling practices. Multivariate logistic regression showed that training status (P=0.000, AOR=0.049, 95% CI =0.011, 0.225) and educational level (P=0.006) had significant impact on food handling practice. There were significant (P=0.002) relationship between knowledge score and food handling score of the food handlers of selected hospitals cafeterias of Dhaka city, Bangladesh.
Conclusion: Majority of food handlers had poor food safety knowledge and poor food handling practices. The influential factors behind poor food handling practices of the food handlers were poor knowledge, poor educational status and poor training status. Provision of training and food safety and health education programs can improve the situation.
Key words: Food safety knowledge; food handling practices; hospital cafeterias; Dhaka city; Bangladesh