Food safety knowledge, attitude and practices of small-scale broiler chicken farmers in Lusaka province-a cross-sectional study.
Loading...
Date
2024
Authors
Mvula, M’sampa
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
The poultry industry in Zambia is a critical sector for the national economy. Over the last two decades, the country has experienced rapid growth in poultry production with a large share being contributed by small-scale urban producers. Among the major concerns that are related to this development are health issues threatening the consumers of the broiler meat, issues such as Campylobacter spp, Salmonella spp and E. coli spp related food poisoning as a result of poor hygiene during the processing of broiler meat. This study’s objectives were to assess small-scale broiler farmers’ level of food safety knowledge, determine their attitude towards food safety and establish the practices concerning good hygiene during the processing and handling of the broiler carcasses. The study was a cross-sectional study comprising of 146 small-scale broiler farmers in Lusaka
Province. Data concerning their food safety knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) as well as their demographic characteristics such as age, gender, level of education and length of doing business in broiler production were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Respondents who scored ≥60% of the maximum possible score were categorized as having good knowledge, a positive attitude and good practices. The respondents generally had good food safety knowledge (66.4%), positive attitudes toward food safety (97.9%), and good practices (78.8%) with mean scores of 23 out of 36 (±9), 11 out of 12 (±1.2),16 out of 22 (±3) respectively. Further, the Pearson chi square test of association revealed that the knowledge levels were significantly associated with age, education, gender and length of doing business (p<0.05). Food safety practices were significantly associated with
gender and length of doing business(p<0.05).Following a binary logistics regression, predictors of good knowledge were: respondents between 36-45 years old (OR=7.34,95%CI:1.40- 38.42),respondents above 40 years old(OR=8.44,95% CI:1.39-51.20),Secondary school education (OR=0.10,95%CI:0.03-0.33), Tertiary education (OR=0.16,95% CI: 0.06-0.417),5- 10 years in broiler chicken production business (OR=0.32,95% CI:0.10-0.96) and being female(OR=0.26,95% CI:0.10-0.65).The predictors of good practices were: Secondary school education (OR=0.21,95% CI:0.07-0.66) Study findings suggest the need for food safety education on safe poultry meat handling and hygiene among small-scale broiler farmers. This will ensure that the poultry meat produced from these farms is safe for consumption.
Description
Thesis of Master of Science in One Health Food Safety.