Food handling practice and associated factors among food handlers working in food establishments in Woldia town, Northeast Ethiopia

Abstract Purpose: The food safety issue is a major public health concern. Inadequate food handler's knowledge and food safety practices are the utmost mentioned contributing factors for potential foodborne disease outbreaks. This study aimed to assess food handling practices and determinants among food handlers working in catering establishments in Woldia town.Design/methodology/approach: In total, 288 food handlers were recruited through a simple random selection method. A structured and interviewer-administered questionnaire was used as a data collection tool. Data were analyzed using frequencies and through applying bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significance.Findings: Of total 288 participants, 91.7% were females, and 69.8% were literate. This study revealed that good food handling practice was 46.5% (95%CI:37.01-56.20). In the subgroup analysis, advanced age (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=12.01; 95%CI:1.96-17.52), married couples (aOR=2.09; 95%CI:1.05-4.78), education (participants who attend grade 7-12 (aOR=2.33; 95%CI:1.14-4.79), and above secondary education (aOR=2.29; 95%CI:1.05-4.61)), monthly income (aOR=2.29; 95%CI:1.14-5.61), work experience above six years (aOR=2.43; 95%CI:2.08-3.17), received training (aOR=1.79; 95%CI:1.68-4.71), inspected by concerned authority (aOR=2.24; 95%CI:1.05-3.09) and knowledge (aOR=3.15; 95%CI:1.02-6.04) were factors associated with food handling practices.Originality/value: Comprehensive and continuous food handling and safety training to food handlers and/or food establishment owners, regular sanitary inspection visits of public food and drink services establishments by concerned authority is compulsory to ensure that all food handlers have the knowledge and the skill to provide safe food.