The Effect of Street Foods Vendors Practices on the Spread of Pollutants under the Covid-19 Pandemic in Aswan Governorate in Egypt

Abstract

Introduction: Street foods often reflect traditional local cultures to tourists and even to local consumers. With the increasing pace of globalization and tourism, the safety of street foods has become one of the major concerns of community health especially after the spread of viruses such as Corona Virus (COVID-19). Food handlers play an important role in the transmission of diseases. The study was conducted to evaluate food safety knowledge and practices of street vendors in Aswan city, using standardized survey tool to test food safety knowledge and practices of street food vendors. Aim: This research is aimed to determine the prevalence of COVID-19 among food handlers and its implications on the health of food consumers in Aswan city. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study utilizing a quantitative research approach. Especially questionnaire was designed allowed fast data collection. Data was collected through face-to-face interviewing of street food vendors, with observations of general hygiene and cleanliness. And also, an electronic questionnaire was designed and distributed to consumers. Descriptive analysis (frequency, percentage, mean) was performed using SPSS version 22.0. Results: No reliable standardized information is available regarding the numbers of street food vendors. The lowest ratings were found in the hygiene of food preparation and serving. A structured questionnaire was administered to (169) street vendors and (323) public consumers in Aswan. Most vendors are male (86.4%). The study showed that the street food hygiene risks are primarily due to the unhealthy practices, poor infrastructure at the street food vending sites and lack of sanitation knowledge among street food vendors.