Abstract
The study adopted survey design. The study was conducted in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State. There is no record on the population of families in Umuahia South, 100 families was randomly selected from the three clans of Umuahia South L.G.A. Questionnaire was used as instrument for data collection. The instrument was validated by three lecturers from the college of Applied Food Science and Tourism Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. Research questions was analyzed using mean and standard deviation, while hypothesis was analyzed with ANOVA. The study found out that food purchasing practices of families were low in terms of checking if product package is made of materials which would or would not contaminate the contained food and checking nutritional value of food products. It was also revealed that food handling practices such as washing of hands after coughing and sneezing, washing of hands after touching the hair, separating raw meat, poultry and seafood from other foods, use of separate equipment and utensils such as knives and chopping board for handling raw foods and keeping cooked food piping hot prior to serving were not practiced. Also there is no significant difference and there is significant difference in comparing the mean of gender on food purchasing practices, marital status and food handling practices. Recommendations include Families should make food safety and food handling practices a priority, Avoid the use of same utensils such as knives and chopping board for handling raw foods and Washing of hands after coughing ,sneezing and washing the hands after touching of the hair should be adopted.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page i
Approval page ii
Certification iii
Dedication iv
Acknowledgements v
Table of Contents vi
List of tables vii
Abstract viii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study 1
1.2 Statement of problem 3
1.3 Purpose of study 4
1.4 Significance of the study 4
1.5 Research question 5
1.6 Hypotheses 5
1.7 Scope of the study 5
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Conceptual Framework 6
2.1.1 Concept of Food Safety 6
2.1.2 Food Safety Nutrition Education 12
2.1.3 Food Safety versus Spoilage 13
2.1.4 Importance of Food Safety 14
2.1.5 Global perspective on food safety 15
2.1.6 Translating Food Safety Knowledge into Practice 17
2.1.7 Food Safety Culture 18
2.1.8 Concept of food storage 19
2.1.9 Food storage safety 20
2.10 World Health Organization (WHO) Five Keys To Safer Food 22
2.2 Theoretical Framework 24
2.2.1 Social cognitive theory 24
2.2.2 Theory of planned behavior 25
2.2.3 Health belief model 26
2.3 Review of related empirical studies 26
2.4 Summary of literature review 36
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research design 38
3.2 Area of study 38
3.3 Population of the study 39
3.4 Sample and sampling technique 39
3.5 Instrument for data collection 39
3.6 Validation of instrument 40
3.7 Data collection techniques 40
3.8 Methods of data analysis 40
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
4.1 Major Findings 49
4.2 Discussion of Findings 51
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary 54
5.2 Conclusion 55
5.3 Recommendation 55
REFERENCE
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Socio economic characteristics of the respondents 42
Table 2: Mean Response on food purchasing practices 45
Table 3: ANOVA Result of Differences in the Mean Responses on Food
purchasing practices 46
Table 4: Mean Response on food handling practices 47
Table 3: ANOVA Result of Differences in the Mean Responses on Food
handling practices 48
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study
Food is one of the basic need for life and healthy living. Foods is defined as that, eat to obtain energy, achieve growth, repair tissue, resist infection and ensure normal functioning of their body (Ojimelukwe, Asumugha, & Omeire, 2005). Items considered as food maybe sourced from plant, animals or other categories such as fungus or fermented product like alcohol (Vincent, 2005). Living things cannot live without food beyond a short period, food is therefore necessary for all living beings. James, Sixbey, Helm, Bannon, Burks, (1997) noted that food help in growth, repairing worn-out tissue, provide energy for work and also help to protect human beings from diseases. Food is any edible substances whether in natural or manufactured state which, from a public health perspective form part of the human diet (Will & Guenther, 2007).
Food safety involves articulating effective means for establishing relative risk of human disease at different stages of the overall safety systems in order to achieve the ultimate food safety system outcome required (Turnbull-fortune & Barbie, 2012).
Consequently, the process will help to develop information required for public health policies on food safety risk management. Illness resulting from eating contaminated food is one of the most wide spread health problems in the reduction of productivity. There is some evidence that consumers think about the safety of the food they consume (Turnbull-fortune & Barbie, 2012).
According to Strachan (2000) food safety is defined as a set of practice associated with the preparation, purchasing and storage of food health and healthy living. Food safety is a significant and growing public health problem in Nigeria. Inadequate food processing and foodborne disease are important contributors to the huge burden of sickness and death.
Poor personal hygiene frequently contribute to foodborne illness which indicates that food handling knowledge and handling practices needs to be improved. Good personal hygiene and food handling practices are the basis for preventing the transmission of pathogens from food to the consumers (Evans, Madden, Douglas, Adak ,O’Brien, Djuretic, Wall, Stanwell-smith, 2007).
Studies by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO, 2005) reported that poor knowledge practices in food handling in the assessment of microbial contamination of food (FAO, 2005). The way food is handled during preparation can be vectors in the spread of the food-borne disease because of poor personal hygiene or cross-contamination. Ehiri & Morris (2003) points out that most outbreaks result from improper food handling practices, lack of basic infrastructure, lack of knowledge of hygiene, absence of portable water, lack of proper storage facility and unsuitable environments for food preparation such as proximity to quality of food, inadequate facilities for garbage disposal posed further hazards.
In addition poor safety practices in food storage, handling /preparation and purchasing can create an environment in which bacterial and other infectious agents are more easily transmitted (Fielding & Aquirre, 2001; Gent &Telford 2009). Howes & Ewens (2006) suggested that improper food handling practices contribute to about 97% of food-borne illness in food service establishments and home/ families. A family is made up of a group of persons united by ties of marriage, blood or adoption and characterized by common residence and economic co-operation (Anyakoha 2015). The family is the basic unit of every society as a result, determines the nature of a society. Nanalee (1994), pointed out the different types of families as nuclear family, single family, blended family and extended family. It was further stated that since family members have common residence and economic cooperation, there must be good communication among the members to have a healthy family relationship.
The Government of Nigeria launched the National Policy of Food Hygiene and Safety in 2000 as an integral part of the Nigerian National Health Policy. The overall goal of this policy is the attainment of high level of food hygiene and safety practices which will promote health, control food-borne diseases, minimize and finally eliminate the risk of diseases related to poor food hygiene and safety (Omotayo and Denloye, 2002).
In Umuahia South, there are different people of different marital status which includes single, married, separated and divorced.
This research aims at determining food safety and food handling practices in Umuahia South L.G.A with a view to assess the level of practice.
1.2 Statement of the problem
Food safety is a scientific discipline of handling, preparation and storage of food in ways that prevent food borne illness. These include a number of routines that should be followed to avoid potentially severe health hazards Aarestrup FM and Engberg J. (2001).
It is an undisputable fact that every food can cause illness if it is contaminated with harmful microorganisms. Food safety has been declared a global concern and an increasing public health concern by international agencies such as the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) and the WHO (World Health Organization). Thus, have the potential of seriously damaging the health status of the population and simultaneously creating an enormous social burden on the communities and their health system. Most people go along way at home to protect themselves from food related threats. They practice proper refrigeration, wash fruits and vegetables among others. However, no matter how many precautions are put in place, food is vulnerable to contamination. The more food is handled, the more the opportunity for contaminants to be introduced.
Habits and lack of knowledge concerning food safety during domestic food preparation and food handling are prevalent among families, It is in the light of this, that this study aimed to assess food safety practices of families in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State.
The implementation of food safety principles should be confined not only to developed countries but also to developing countries because this is a clear indication of factors of development allowing the destructive eventualities of potential health incidents, which can be avoided (WHO,2005).
1.3 Objective of the study
The main objective of the study was to investigate the food safety practices of families in Umuahia South Local Government Area. Specifically the study will;
1) determine the food purchasing practices of families in Umuahia South L.G.A
2) determine the food handling practices of families in Umuahia South L.G.A.
1.4 Significance of the study
This study will be beneficial to individuals, families, communities and nation at large.
Families: Families will benefit from this work because in order to prevent infection food should be prepared and stored properly. This is to help make sure that our food keeps enough nutrients to help nourish and replenish our body and for us to have a healthy diet.
Unsafe food and water means that it has been exposed to dirt and germs or may even be rotten which can cause infections or diseases such as diarrhea, meningitis and many others. So individuals should not expose their food and water to avoid dirt and germs from entering into them for a healthy living/diet.
Community: The community will also benefit from the study because they will be enlighten on how to keep food safe for consumption to prevent diseases and microbial attack to utilize the available limited resources and every member of the community will have a chance of benefitting from the resources and these will lead to improved feeding and living standard among families in Umuahia South Local Government Area.
Individual: It will enable individuals to know the dangers associated in food safety and food handling practices if not practiced. Also common ignored food handling practices that leads to foodborne diseases.
Nation: It will help the nation at large to be aware of the various food safety and food handling practices that are available to them.
1.5 Research question
1) What are the food purchasing practices of families in Umuahia south L.G.A.?
2) What are the food handling practices of families in Umuahia South L.G.A?
1.6 Hypotheses
Ø There is no significant differences between the mean responses of different marital status on food handling practices of families in Umuahia South L.G.A
Ø There is no significant differences between the mean responses of male and female on the food purchasing practices of families in Umuahia South L.G.A
1.7 Scope of the study
The study assessed the food safety practices families in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State it covers food purchasing practices, food handling practices and food storage practices of families in Umuahia South L.G.A of Abia State.
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