Food safety knowledge and practice among child caregivers in Ijebu-Ode Local Government, Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Children are the most vulnerable groups prone to diseases. As more families have the two parents working, there is need for children whose parents are gainfully employed, to receive care in a clean and safe environment.
Objective: The study assessed food safety knowledge and practice among child caregivers in Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area (IOLGA), Ogun state.
Methods: Descriptive survey using multistage sampling technique was adopted to select seventy-eight (78)child caregivers from IOLGA. A validated semi structured Food Safety Knowledge and Practice Questionnaire (FSKPQ) was used to gather demographic and other information relating to the study. Knowledge and practice scale of 0-15 was adopted and categorized as high: ≥ 10, average: 6.6-9.9, and poor: 0-6.5. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and t test at p=0.05.
Results: All the respondents (100%) were females and majority (43.6%) had secondary education. They possessed average food safety knowledge on breast and formula feeding (6.7±1.3), poor safety knowledge of changing baby clothing (6.5±1.0), safe food handling and preparation 4.6±0.6, cross contamination and hand washing techniques (4.2±0). They also had poor food safety practice on hand washing practice (6.4±0.9), feeding practice, cooking and storing temperature (5.7±0.7), general cleaning and sanitizing of the cooking and feeding area with (5.8±0.8). A significant difference between knowledge and practice of food safety among child caregivers was established (df = 77; t =112.675; p ˂ 0.05).
Conclusion: Food safety knowledge and practice was poor among child caregivers. Food safety practice training should be organized regularly for child care givers

Key words: Food Safety, Food handling, Care Givers