# Food safety practice and its associated factors among household food handlers in Patuakhali, Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study

## TL;DR

This study examines food safety practices among household food handlers in Bangladesh and identifies factors that influence these practices.

## Contribution

The study identifies socioeconomic and educational factors associated with good or poor food safety practices in a specific region of Bangladesh.

## Key findings

- Only 46% of participants demonstrated good food safety practices.
- Secondary education and food safety training were significantly associated with good practices.
- Living in rural areas and being aged 39–58 years were linked to poor food safety practices.

## Abstract

Food safety practices play a crucial role in the prevention of foodborne diseases, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like Bangladesh. This study assessed food safety practices among household food handlers in Patuakhali, Bangladesh, and identified associated factors influencing these practices. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 randomly selected households, using structured interviews and direct observations. The findings revealed that only 46% of participants demonstrated good food safety practices, with notable deficiencies in proper handwashing techniques (36.7%). Multiple logistic regression analysis identified that secondary education (AOR = 2.84; 95% CI: 1.44, 5.59), government employment (AOR = 5.74; 95% CI: 1.24, 26.53), monthly income between 15,000 and 30,000 BDT (AOR = 4.50; 95% CI: 2.17, 9.31), and participation in food safety training (AOR = 5.01; 95% CI: 1.95, 12.90) were significantly associated with good food safety practices. Conversely, living in rural areas (AOR = 0.30; 95% CI: 0.13–0.67) and, being aged 39–58 years (AOR = 0.36; 95% CI: 0.15–0.84) were associated with poor food safety practices. Addressing these factors, particularly socioeconomic disparities and offering targeted food safety education, could significantly improve public health outcomes and overall food safety practices.