KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PRACTICE OF HYGIENE AMONG STREET FOOD VENDORS OF FRIED POTATOES, MASA AND AKARA IN BAUCHI METROPOLIS (GWALLAMEJI AND YELWA)

ABSTRACT The study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and hygiene practices among street food vendors of fried potatoes, masa, and akara in Gwallameji and Yelwa, Bauchi Metropolis. Street food vending contributes significantly to local nutrition, employment, and income generation, yet it is often carried out under unhygienic conditions that pose risks of foodborne illnesses. The study specifically aimed to evaluate vendors’ knowledge of food hygiene, assess their attitudes toward hygiene and safety, examine their hygiene practices, and identify the factors influencing these behaviors. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was adopted, and data were collected from 200 street food vendors through structured questionnaires and direct observations. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were analyzed using SPSS version 25. The majority of respondents were women (76%) with little or no formal education (58.5%). Findings revealed that hygiene knowledge was generally high, as 84% of vendors recognized that dirty hands can cause food poisoning and 75.2% acknowledged that washing with soap removes more germs than water alone. Attitudes toward hygiene were also positive, with 85.5% agreeing that good hygiene enhances business and 80.5% accepting personal responsibility for food safety. However, 71.5% believed that maintaining hygiene is expensive, indicating economic constraints that hinder consistent practice. In terms of actual behavior, 91.5% reported washing their hands before handling food and 83% used clean utensils daily, yet only 71% practiced proper waste disposal and 27% operated near open gutters. Observational findings further exposed inconsistencies—34% of vendors did not wear protective clothing, and 35.5% worked in areas infested with flies or pests. Statistical analysis showed significant relationships among knowledge, attitude, and practice (p < 0.05), suggesting that vendors with higher hygiene knowledge and positive attitudes were more likely to maintain better practices. The study concluded that while vendors exhibited good awareness and favorable attitudes toward hygiene, their practices remained suboptimal due to infrastructural, financial, and environmental limitations. It was therefore recommended that government agencies and public health authorities provide improved sanitation facilities, enforce regular inspections, and organize continuous hygiene training to strengthen food safety among street food vendors in Bauchi Metropolis.