| Sumario: | The aims of this study were to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices
(KAP) of food handlers and to assess the level of microbiological hygiene indicators at
slaughterhouses and markets. Cross-sectional study was conducted during December
2014 to May 2015 in 16 slaughterhouses and 31 markets in Chiang Mai province,
Thailand. A total of 32 slaughterhouse workers and 51 pork sellers were assessed KAP
using questionnaires combining likert scales. Two focus group discussions were
performed in slaughterhouse workers and in-depth interviews were conducted for
animal health and public health authority, market and slaughterhouse managers, and
consumers regarding food hygiene and food safety issues. Knowledge which assessed
from the questionnaire indicated higher scores in personal hygiene and cross
contamination and lower scores in foodborne illness. This result is in accordance with
the result from focus group discussion. There are some contract finding between
attitudes and practices; for example food handlers agreed that protective equipment can
reduce cross contamination, but they practically do not wear gloves and mask and still
work when they got sick. The qualitative data indicated that some good hygiene
measures are inappropriate in the context of their practical implementation and some of
these hygiene practices are not in accordance with their socio-economic status.
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