Assessing the sanitation and hygiene practices among bakers and bread vendors in selected parts of the Kassena- Nankana east municipality

Abstract

The study was conducted within the Kassena-Nankana East Municipality. It assessed the sanitation and hygiene practices among bakers and bread sellers. The design for the study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey. Twenty (20) bakers and one hundred (100) bread sellers were sampled for the study via the simple random and convenient sampling techniques. Data was gathered using questionnaire (Cronbach’s Alpha = 0.76) and semistructured observation guide. The data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Scientist (SPSS) version 21. The results were presented in tables and figures or charts as frequency counts and percentages. The study revealed that most of the respondents had poor and/or inadequate knowledge of food hygiene and sanitation. The bakers and bread sellers had no or insufficient knowledge of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP); the regulations governing food vending in Ghana; food safety standards in Ghana; and Food and Drugs Act 1992 (PNDCL) 305B. More than 90% of the bakers and bread sellers were relatively clean with regard to food hygiene and sanitation practices. They had a quite clean personal appearance; clean and hygienic work materials, ingredients, tools, facilities and general work surroundings. It was recommended, among others, that the Kasena-Nankana Municipality Environmental Health Department should intensify health education regarding food hygiene and sanitation to both food handlers and consumers. They should in collaboration with the health directorate conduct periodic inspection of bakeries and sales points of bread, medical examination or screening for bakers and bread sellers along with necessary treatment such as de-worming, typhoid and hepatitis ‘B ’screening, and vaccination.