Perceived Influence of Food Hygiene in the Prevention of Food-Borne Diseases among Secondary School Students in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the perceived influence of food hygiene in the prevention of food-borne disease among secondary school students in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria. Food-borne disease is a pervasive problem caused by consumption of contaminated foods and drinks. The objectives of the study included determining whether good personal hygiene and safe food handling affect prevention of food-borne diseases. The study adopted descriptive research design of survey type for the study. The population of the study comprises all secondary school students in the Ilorin Metropolis. The researchers a structured questionnaire adequately validated by experts from department of Health Promotion and Environmental Health Education, and Department of Epidemiology and Community Health at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria. The reliability of the instrument was determined through test re-test method in which reliability coefficient of 0.79 was obtained. In all, two hypotheses were formulated and tested for the study. The data generated were analysed by parametric statistical method of chi-square (x²) at 0.05 alpha level of significance. The finding from the study revealed that good personal hygiene had much influence in the prevention of food-borne diseases among secondary school students in the Ilorin Metropolis. In addition, safe food handling had greater influence in the prevention of food-borne diseases among secondary school students in the same metropolis. Based on the findings above, secondary school students perceived good personal hygiene and safe food handling as having much influence in the prevention of food-borne diseases. The study recommends that secondary school students ought to be advised to strictly adhere to good hygiene practices to prevent food-borne diseases. Secondary school students are also encouraged to be conscious of the food they buy and prepare at home to prevent food-borne diseases.