Association of Vendor’s Demographic Characteristics with Their Level of Knowledge on Food Safety and Hygiene - A Cross-sectional Survey in Dhaka City

Résumé

Background: Street-vended food is a vital source of affordable nutrition in urban Bangladesh, especially for low-income populations. However, limited education, poor hygiene practices, and unsafe environments raise serious food safety concerns. Understanding how vendors’ demographic factors influence their knowledge of hygiene and safety is essential for designing effective public health interventions. Objective: To assess the association between demographic characteristics of street food vendors and their knowledge of food safety and hygiene in selected areas of Dhaka city. Methods & Materials: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from June to October 2023 among 243 male street food vendors in Dhanmondi, Mohammadpur, and Mirpur. Vendors were selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire and checklist. Knowledge was scored and categorized into low, satisfactory, and good levels. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and chi-square tests, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Of the 243 respondents, 33.7% had low knowledge, 39.5% satisfactory, and only 26.7% good knowledge. Knowledge levels were significantly associated with monthly income and vending site environment (p < 0.05). Residence and smoking status also showed significant relationships with knowledge, while age, education, marital status, and work experience did not. While most vendors recognized basic hygiene practices such as hand washing, importance of protective gear, safe packaging, etc. during food service. Conclusion: A substantial knowledge gap exists among street food vendors in Dhaka. Socioeconomic and environmental factors significantly influence awareness and practices. Targeted training, better infrastructure, and policy support are urgently needed to improve food safety in the informal food sector.