ASSESSMENT OF FOOD VENDORS’ KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF FOOD HYGIENE AT ACHIEVERS UNIVERSITY, OWO, ONDO STATE

ABSTRACT The principles of food hygiene aim to prevent food from becoming contaminated and causing food poisoning. This study was conducted to determine the knowledge, attitude and practice of food hygiene among food vendors’ in Achievers University, Owo. The study employed a descriptive research design. A total enumeration sample size of 52 was used. A self- administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Results were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and the result presented in frequency tables. Findings from the study revealed that the mean age of the respondents was 34.62±12.02. The study further revealed that 80.8% of the respondents had adequate level of knowledge of food hygiene and 19.2% had inadequate level of knowledge. Also, 75.0% had positive attitude towards food hygiene while 25.0% had negative attitude. Also, 59.6% had good practice level of food hygiene while 40.4% had poor practice level. There was a significant relationship between respondents’ knowledge of food hygiene and practice of food hygiene (P=0.03). Furthermore, there was also no significant relationship between age and practice of food hygiene (P>0.7) and work experience (P=0.1). However, there was a significant relationship between gender (P=0.005), level of education (P=0.008) and marital status (P=0.015) and practice of food hygiene. The study concluded that the knowledge level of food hygiene among food vendors’ in Achievers University, Owo was adequate and their attitude towards food hygiene was positive. Factors such as frequently washing of hands, washing kitchen utensils before and after use contributed to the good practice level of food hygiene. Word Count: 250 Keywords: Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Food hygiene, Food vendors