Food Safety Practice and Associated Factors among Street Food Vendors in City Administrations of West Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia, 2021

Abstract

Background: The street foods provide a source of affordable nutrients to the majority of people, especially in developing countries including Ethiopia. But, since street foods are prepared and sold under unhygienic conditions, they are prone to be contaminated. So, vender’s practices towards food safety under this environment should be strictly studied. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the level of safety practice and determinant factors of street food vendors. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 422 street food vendors to assess food safety practices and associated factors in City Administrations of West Gojjam Zone from February to March 2021. Epicollect5 software was used for data collection through smart phones. The data was bringing to MS-Excel and then to SPSS version 23 for analysis. Bivariable and Multivariable logistic regression analysis was done to identify associated factors and to control the effect of confounding variables, respectively. Significance of association was identified by p-value of < 0.05 and its strength was described using odds ratio and 95% CI. Results: Of 422 street food vendors, 418 (99%) responded to the questions. From 418 street food vendors, 418 (100%), 232 (55.51%), 271 (64.83%), 418 (100%) and 361 (86.36%) were females, aged 20-24 years, single, orthodox, and income of 1500-5000 ETB, respectively. About 215 (51.40%) street food vendors had good food safety practice. Primary educational status (AOR=0.57, 95% CI=0.35-0.99), cannot read and write (AOR=0.17, 95% CI=0.08-0.37), monthly income 5001-8500 ETB (AOR=2.57, 95% CI=1.06-6.22), inspection (AOR=3.64, 95% CI=2.05-6.46), training (AOR=3.73, 95% CI=1.94-7.16), vending experience 4-6 years (AOR=1.89, 95% CI=1.14-3.13), vending experience 7-9 years (AOR=3.67, 95% CI=1.21-11.11) and poor knowledge of food safety (AOR=0.48, 95% CI=0.30-0.78) were factors showed statistical significance. Conclusion: In this study, half of the study subjects were found in practicing a beter way to keep food safety and healthy. Regular training and improving knowledge level, support in improving economic status and inspection are important activities to be held to improve food safety practices of street food vendors.