Contributions of food safety knowledge to the frequency of food-borne illnesses in rural households in south western Nigeria

Abstract

Knowledge about safe handling of food across broad spectrum is essential to avoid food-borne illness outbreaks at the home level. This study assessed the contribution of food safety knowledge to the frequency of food-borne illnesses experienced by rural households in South Western Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 270 rural household food
handlers in Oyo, Ogun and Ekiti states. Both qualitative and quantitative research designs were used to probe the socio economic characteristics, sources of information on food safety, knowledge of food safety and frequency of food-borne illnesses experienced by rural households. Data were described with frequency counts, percentages, and means while multiple regression statistics at was used for inferential analysis. Findings reveal that the mean age of respondents was 43±11.90 years and majority of the household food-handlers (75.6%) were female and married (82.2%), while monthly mean income was N33,324±12,300. Majority (63.7%) had high knowledge of food safety issues, as family and friends ( overline x = 1.162 ) served as source of information. Fever chills ( overline x = 1.07 ) abdominal cramping ( overline x = 0.92 ) diarrhea ( overline x = 0.79 ) and typhoid ( x = 0.92 ) Ranked high among the food -borne illnesses perceived to be frequently R ’ β ; β ; q -borne illnesses experienced and were significant. The study recommends that food safety knowledge of rural household food handlers be enhanced through sensitization programmes using various media in order to reduce food-borne illness outbreaks at home level.