Knowledge and attitudes toward food safety among food handlers: A cross-sectional study in a Nigerian tertiary institution.

Background: Foodborne diseases remain a significant public health issue, with sub-Saharan Africa bearing a disproportionate burden. In Nigeria, many students rely on institutional food services, making the safe handling of food a crucial concern. Objective: This study assessed the knowledge and attitudes of food handlers towards food safety at Babcock University, Ogun State, Nigeria. Methods: This cross-sectional survey was carried out among 80 food handlers using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a pre-tested, structured, self-administered questionnaire and analysis using IBM SPSS version 24.0. Relevant descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated, with results presented in tables. The chi-square test was used to assess the associations between the independent and dependent variables. The significance level was set at a 95% confidence interval with a p-value ≤ 0.05. Results: Respondents had a mean age of 27.4 ± 7.8 years, and most were female (57.5%). Overall, 60% showed good knowledge of food safety and about 70% demonstrated a positive attitude. The level of education was significantly associated with knowledge (χ²=12.861, p=0.005), while ethnicity was associated with attitudes (χ²=12.798, p=0.005). Conclusion: Respondents generally had good knowledge and attitudes toward food safety, suggesting that training and awareness programs may be making an impact. The association between level of education and knowledge of food safety underscores the importance of continuous training programs for food handlers. The association between ethnicity and attitudes highlights the importance of culturally sensitive approaches in food safety education.