Assessment of knowledge, attitude, and practice about food safety among fried chicken meat street vendors in Ilala, Dar es Salaam region, Tanzania

Abstract Background Street-vended fried chicken is a widely consumed source of affordable nutrition and income in urban Tanzania, but its informal nature and limited regulatory oversight pose significant food safety risks. Materials and Methods This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of 405 fried chicken vendors in Ilala District, Dar es Salaam, between November 2024 and February 2025, alongside observation checklists and key informant interviews to identify structural and socio-economic factors affecting hygiene compliance. Data analysis involved descriptive and regression analysis. Results Descriptive analysis revealed that the majority of vendors had low knowledge (97.3%; median score 16.7%), neutral attitudes (85.7%; median score 65.5%), and fair practices (93.8%; median score 66.7%). Regression analyses demonstrated that knowledge significantly predicted attitude (β = 0.64, R² = 0.51, p < 0.001) and practice (β = 0.83, R² = 0.665, p < 0.001), while attitude strongly predicted practice (β = 0.98, R² = 0.748, p < 0.001). Mediation analysis revealed that attitude partially mediated the effect of knowledge on practice (approximately 50%). Qualitative findings highlighted regulatory weaknesses, infrastructure constraints, and socio-economic pressures as major barriers to safe food handling. Conclusion Overall, fried chicken vendors in Ilala District exhibited critical gaps in knowledge, attitudes, and practices, creating substantial public health risks. Interventions should prioritize enhancing vendor knowledge, fostering positive attitudes, strengthening regulatory oversight, and improving hygiene infrastructure to ensure safer street food practices.