Knowledge and Practices of Meat Safety by Meat Sellers in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana

Frederick Adzitey; Kassim Wachiebine Sulleyman; Samuel Serbeh Mensah

doi:10.37591/rrjofst.v7i2.808

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge and practices of meat safety by meat sellers in Kumasi metropolis, Ghana. The study employed descriptive survey design. Simple random sampling was used to select 150 meat sellers from Kumasi metropolis. Questionnaire was used to gather data and SPSS was used to analyze the data gathered. The results revealed that majority of the respondents were males 146 (97.3%), aged between 18–60 years 143 (95.3%) and were Muslims 91 (60.6%). Age had influence on knowing that contaminated meat causes illness (X=13.160, df=3, P=0.004). Most of the respondents completed elementary education 93 (62.0%) and have more than three years’ experience in selling meat 147 (98.0%). Education had influence on the practice of using gloves (X=47.813, df=6, P<0.001) and smoking (X=15.772, df=3, P=0.001) at work. Work experience had no influence (P>0.05) on the knowledge and practice of meat safety by meat sellers in the Kumasi metropolis. All the respondents were aware that eating and drinking while selling meat increases the risk of meat contamination. Also, all the respondents were aware that proper cleaning and handling of instruments reduce the risk of meat contamination. Most of the meat sellers 139 (92.7) knew that contaminated meat can cause meat-borne disease/illness. All the respondents indicated that they wash their chopping/cutting table at the beginning and at the end of work, and 149 (99.3%) of the meat sellers stated that they wash their knives and equipment at the beginning and close of work each day. Moreover, all the respondents indicated that they sterilize their knife and equipment. Only 56% (84/150) of the meat handlers wore apron during work. Despite the satisfactory knowledge and practices carried out by the meat sellers, the study recommends that appropriate training on meat safety should be given to meat sellers. Keywords: Foodborne diseases, food safety, meat sellers, practices, KumasiCite this ArticleAdzitey F, Sulleyman KW, Mensah SS. Knowledge and Practices of Meat Safety by Meat Sellers in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana. Research & Reviews: Journal of Food Science and Technology. 2018; 7(2): 34–41p.