Investigating the hygienic condition of napkins used by consumers in some selected food joints in Abirem and Afosu in the Birim North District of the Eastern Region of Ghana

Abstract

Napkins used by consumers in some selected food joints in New Abirem and Afosu townships in the Birim North District of the Eastern Region were examined to determine the hygienic conditions of such napkins made available by food vendors at the various food joints and the extent to which consumers may be exposed to micro organisms and dirt after using these napkins to wipe their hands and lips. Microbial contents of napkins from 5 sampled food joints were analysed for Faecel coliforms, Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp, and Clostridium spp. E. coli was found higher in all the napkins sampled from each of the food joints with a mean ranging from 1.76 to 3.36. Salmonella spp. with mean value ranging from 0 to 0.57 was identified to be present in napkins from three food joints. However, Clostridium spp. and Faecal coliforms were completely absent in all napkins from all food joints. Sources of contamination have been found to range from the individuals (consumers and vendors) who used these napkins, how napkins were stored prior to and after use by consumers, ineffectiveness of the washing and drying methods of napkins, prolonged use of a single napkin by several consumers before it is either changed or washed, a very wide napkin to consumers ratio, fewer number of napkins available on daily basis for use by consumers, to the environment in which these napkins were kept. This study has shown the need for good hygienic practices by the operators of these food joints due to the multi-user -nature of their facilities, by making sure napkins made available for use by their prospective consumers are hygienic, free from pathogens, and do not serve as a media for inoculation of innocent consumers and their respective dependants. This study therefore, proposes the need for national discourse, in terms of awareness creation among consumers and the general public on the dangers of napkins use at food joints in the study area and Ghana at large.