Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Street Food Vendors on Food Safety at Kansanshi Boom Gate in Solwezi, Zambia

Abstract

World Health Organization (WHO) defines street vended foods as foods and beverages prepared and/ or sold by vendors in streets and other public places for immediate consumption or consumption at a later time without further processing or preparation. The study aimed at assessing the knowledge, attitudes and practices of street food vendors on food safety at Kansanshi boom gate in Solwezi, Zambia. The study aimed at identifying food safety knowledge, attitudes and practices of street food vendors at Kansanshi Boom Gate in Solwezi through the following specific objectives: To investigate food safety knowledge among street food vendors at Kansanshi Boom Gate in Solwezi, to assess the attitudes of street food vendors towards food safety at Kansanshi Boom Gate in Solwezi and finally to assess the practices of street food vendors on food safety at Kansanshi Boom Gate in Solwezi. A descriptive study design was used. The study cross sectional survey involved 130 respondents selected using convenience sampling method. Data was collected using structured questionnaire and analyzed using Microsoft excel and STATA version 14.0. The variables that were considered during the analysis where knowledge, attitude and practices of street food vendors. The study results reviewed that knowledge, attitudes and practices of venders had a statistical positive effect on food safety. It was also found that majority of the respondents did not access to formal training in food preparation. It was observed that the street food vendors are ubiquitous and a conspicuous presence as they varied from one vender to another in terms of knowledge on hygiene and safety of food, practices also varied due to different backgrounds as well attitudes on how food is supposed to be handled. They are regarded as potential conduits of foodborne disease as a result of the conditions in which food is prepared, yet in many developing countries, the street food trade provides an important source of both food and income.