Abstract:
10 to 20% of food-borne diseases outbreaks are because of contamination by food handlers in restaurants, butcher shops, markets,
etc. However, the food safety practice and associated factors among mothers who are the food handlers at their homes are not well
studied and understood.This study aimed to assess food safety practice and associated factors among mothers in Debarq town.
Methods. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted duringMarch and April, 2018. Four hundred and twenty-three
study participants were included using simple random sampling techniques. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data.
Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with food safety practice based on AOR
with 95% CI and p < 0.05. Results. About 210 (49.6%) of study participants had good food safety practice. Food safety practice of
mothers was significantly associatedwith their educational status; secondary educational status adjusted odds ratio, AOR 3.09, 95%
confidence interval, CI: 1.54, 6.20; College and University education AOR 2.95, 95% CI: 1.22, 7.12; food safety knowledge AOR 2.49,
95% CI: 1.41, 4.40; and attitude towards food safety AOR 3.67, 95% CI: 2.27, 5.94. Conclusion.Half of the study subjects had a good
level of self-reported food safety practice and the other half had a poor level. Educational status, food safety knowledge, and attitude
towards food safety were the identified factors associatedwith food safety practice. Improving the knowledge and educational status
of the mothers is important to enhance their food safety practices.
