Intervention On The Knowledge Of Food Hygiene Among Child Caregivers In Ogun State Nigeria

Abstract

AbstractInsufficient knowledge and improper food handling practices by child caregivers contribute greatly to food borne illnesses among children. Training and certificate programs which can translate into good practice have been found to improve the overall food handling behaviors of the caregivers. Thus the need to intervene on the poorly identified knowledge of food safety among child caregivers in Ogun state, Nigeria. One hundred and seventy (170) child caregivers between the ages 18 to 35years living in Ijebu-Ode Local Government area of Ogun State were involved in the study. These caregivers were initially identified to poor knowledge of food safety and practice in the study area. Informed consent were obtained from the Head of Child Caregivers Centres (CCC) and the caregivers themselves before the commencement of the program. One week intervention program in form of training was then organized for the concerned caregivers. A validated semi structured food safety knowledge (FSK) questionnaires were re-administered to the same food handlers after the training. Scores above 15 were categorized as adequate knowledge while those below 15 were categorized as poor knowledge. Numerical data were analysed using mean, standard deviation while t-test was used to test hypotheses. All the respondents were female (100%) and majority (43.6%) had secondary education. Respondents gained knowledge on the followings after the training: hand washing, procedure for feeding babies, cleaning of utensils and disinfection, handling of breast milk, formula feeding, diapering and general cleaning of the environment with mean scores of 18.25 ± 3.5, 20.18 ± 4.30, 16.38. ± 8.35, 25.68 ± .9.00, 15.79 ± 3.25, 30.00 ± 6.33 and 19.20 ± 4.00 respectively. knowledge of food safety among child caregivers significantly increased after the intervention exercise. Training and other forms of interventions on knowledge of food safety should be organized regularly for child caregivers