Trichotomy of awareness, outlook and practice of food handlers towards food and water safety in food establishments in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

INTRODUCTION: Food and waterborne diseases are the commonest global public health problems. Specifically, in Ethiopia, public health problems associated with deterioration of food and water safety situations are much more complicated due to poverty, economic and environment related risks. Awareness, outlook and practice of food handlers are the three important factors that play major roles in the occurrence and outbreak of food borne diseases. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate awareness, outlook and practice of food handlers towards food and water safety. METHODS: Institution based cross sectional study was conducted among food handlers of Addis Ababa city administration. In this study, 416 participants were selected using a stratified, simple random sampling technique; and were interviewed using structured questionnaire. Linear Regression Model and analysis of variance were used for data analysis. RESULTS: In this study, 55.5%, 66.1% and 60.6% of the food handlers had good awareness, outlook and proper hygiene practices respectively. This study revealed that, 17.5% and 23.1% of the respondents did not know about food and water borne disease respectively. Only 39.4% of the participants had proper practice of covering mouth with tidy cloth when they cough. Moreover, 75.7% of the food handlers reported that they did not wear personal protective devices during the working time. Predictor variables like educational status and length of work experience were correlated positively and significantly with awareness. However, being married was correlated negatively with awareness. CONCLUSION: Assessing awareness, outlook and practice of food handlers regarding food and water safety is a vital activity to reduce public health problems. Significant number of food handlers had poor awareness, outlook and practice towards food and water safety. There is a call for enhancing the awareness, outlook and practice of food and water safety to achieve an excellent practice. Better food and water safety policy and firm regulatory actions are needed.

Determinants of Sanitation and Hygiene Status Among Food Establishments in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

INTRODUCTION: Despite advancements in food science and technology, foodborne disease remains one of the major public health problems. Poor sanitation and hygiene conditions of food establishments are the major causes for the occurrence of foodborne disease. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate core determinants of sanitation and hygiene status among food establishments. METHODS: Institution-based cross-sectional study design was conducted in Addis Ababa city. A stratified random sampling technique was deployed to select 413 study participants. Data were collected through interview and using observational checklist. Sample size was determined by using a single population proportion formula. To analyze the data, binary logistic regression and multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted. In all analysis, P-value less than .05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The study revealed that 57.4% of the food establishments were under poor sanitation status. In the multivariable analysis, presence of trained managers on hygiene and sanitation (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 6.10 with 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.41-15.45), presence of renewed licenses (AOR = 3.07 with 95% CI: 1.18-7.99), absence of bureaucratic function to obtain permission to renew the food establishment buildings (AOR = 2.43 with 95% CI: 1.25-4.70), and presence of at least 10-m distance between toilet and kitchen (AOR = 9.19, at 95% CI: 5.63-15.02) were associated significantly with sanitation and hygiene status. CONCLUSIONS: Above average of the food establishments were found to be in poor sanitation and hygiene state. Many core determinant factors that influence sanitation and hygienic status of food establishments were identified. The researchers suggest that formal training on sanitation and hygiene for managers of food establishments should be provided to reduce the occurrence of foodborne diseases. Moreover, strong food and water safety policy and strategy should be promulgated to improve sanitation and hygiene status of food establishments.

Diarrheal disease and associated behavioural factors among food handlers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

INTRODUCTION: Diarrheal diseases are threat everywhere, but its frequency and impact are more severe in developing countries. Diarrhea occurs world-wide and causes 4% of all deaths and 5% of health loss to disability. In 2016, it was the eighth leading cause of mortality. Moreover, data from the World Health Organization indicated that diarrheal diseases are causes for an estimated 2 million deaths annually. Therefore, this study aimed to assess diarrheal diseases and associated behavioural factors. METHOD: An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted. A stratified random sampling method was employed to select 1050 study participants. Participants were interviewed using structured questionnaire. To analysis the data, binary logistic regression and multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted. RESULTS: The two weeks prevalence of diarrhea was found to be 3.4%. Further, 1.6%, 10.5%, 10.7% and 9% of the food handlers had acute watery diarrhea, cough, an infection of runny nose and incidence of any fever respectively. Regular hand washing after toilet (AOR = 0.13 with 95% CI: 0.024, 0.72), using toilet while wearing protective clothes/gown (AOR = 5.39 with 95% CI; 1.59, 18.32), habit of eating raw beef and raw vegetables (AOR = 6.27 with 95% CI: 1.89-20.78), type of toilet (AOR = 4.07 with 95% CI: 0.29-6.67 were associated significantly with diarrhea. CONCLUSION: This assessment proved to be an essential activity for reduction of community diarrheal diseases, as a significant number of food handlers had diarrhea. Good sanitation, hygiene practice and a healthy lifestyle behavior can prevent diarrhea. A strong political commitment with appropriate budgetary allocation is essential for the control of diarrheal diseases.