Abstract:
Background: Food borne diseases are major health problems in developed and developing countries including
Ethiopia. The problem is more noticeable in developing countries due to prevailing poor food handling and
sanitation practices, inadequate food safety laws, weak regulatory systems, lack of financial resources to invest
on safer equipments, and lack of education for food handlers.
Methods: The objective of this study was to assess food handling practice and associated factors among food
handlers working in food and drinking establishments of Dangila town, North West Ethiopia. Cross-sectional
quantitative study design was conducted among 406 food handlers working in 105 food and drink establishments
from July to August 2013 in Dangila town. Data were collected using face to face interview with pretested
structured questionnaire and physical observation.
Result: The mean age of the respondents was 22.7 ± 4.2 years of which 62.8% of the food handlers were females.
Two hundred thirteen (52.5%) of food handlers had good food handling practices. Marital status (AOR = 7.52,
95% CI, 1.45-38.97), monthly income (AOR = 0.395, 95% CI, 0.25-0.62), knowledge about food handling (AOR = 1.69,
95% CI, 1.05-2.73), existence of shower facility (AOR = 1.89, 95% CI, 1.12-3.21) and separate dressing room
(AOR = 1.97, 95% CI, 1.11-3.49) were found to be significantly associated with good food handling Practices.
Conclusion: Above half of food handlers had good food handling practices. Marital status, monthly income,
knowledge status, existence of shower facility, existence of separate dressing room and presence of insect and
rodent were factors associated with food handling Practices
