Sanitary Survey of Food and Drinking Establishments in Ambo Town West Showa Zone Oromia Region
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Date
2007-07
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Addis Abeba Universty
Abstract
Introduction: food is a major factor affecting health and well beings. Consumption of
contaminated foods and flesh of infected animals can resulted in different types of food born
infections.
Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess sanitary conditions of public food and
drinking establishment, in Ambo town, West Showa zone, Oromia Region.
Methods: a cross- sectional survey was carried out to assess sanitary conditions of public
food and drinking establishments from February to March 2007. Standardized pre-tested
questionnaire and observational check list were used for data collections. Open ended
questionnaire were used for physical check up and stool examination of food handlers.
Results: Majority (96.6%) of the establishments were owned privately. 54.4% of catering
establishments had their food and drinking business in rented buildings. Eighty six percent of
the establishments were managed by the owner themselves. 38.9% of catering establishments
had their activity of food and drinking business without formal licensing. There were high
proportion of poor physical conditions of premises (poor repair of kitchen and dinning
rooms). Sanitary condition of formal (licensed) catering establishments was found in better
conditions in comparison to informal ones. Among one hundred twenty three establishments
that had kitchens only 23.6% of the establishments were rated as good sanitary conditions.
Storage of ready to be used equipments were safe in establishments in which sanitary
inspections was done in the last one year in comparison of uninspected establishments (OR =
6.53; 95% C.I (3.07, 13.86)). Among food handlers for whom stool examination done the
overall worm infection were found to be 34.5%.
Conclusions and recommendations: - Sanitary conditions of many
catering establishments were not satisfactory due to high proportion of
insanitary conditions of premise, therefore the probability of food
contamination in these establishments were high. Legal licensing, sanitary
inspection and self control have positive impact on improvement of sanitary
conditions of catering establishments. As the solution to improver insanitary
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conditions of catering establishments’ Health sectors, Municipality, Ministry
of Trade, Industry and Tourism should work in integrations with enforcing to
be licensed for those non-licensed and by regular follow up (inspection of
sanitary conditions of the establishments). Training of catering managers
was rewarded inturn to train and supervise food handlers. Planning and
implementation of proper waste handling and disposal was the must to
improve currently unacceptable handling and disposal system of waste.
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Sanitary Survey of Food and Drinking Establishments