Connaissance, Attitudes et pratiques des élèves sur l'hygiène alimentaire et l'alimentation de la rue

Abstract

Introduction: In developing countries, the risks of food contamination are both present at home and at the vendors' premises but with a higher risk 

of contamination of street food. In view of the risks involved in the transmission of diseases through food, we are conducting this study among the students of Bouaké in order to assess their knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding the hygiene of food sold on the streets.

Method: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study in four secondary schools, two public and two private, in the city of Bouaké. We interviewed 448 students through a questionnaire. SPSS 17.0 software was used for data collection and analysis.

Results: The students surveyed had a median age of 16 ± 5.2 years, were predominantly male (60.0%) and received pocket money in 92.2% of cases. Our respondents said that they should wash their hands with soap and water (99.1%) and systematically washed their hands before every single meal (94.9%). They did not trust food sold at school or on the street (64.1%), and some of them said they became sick after eating street foods (53.6%).

Conclusion: Good food hygiene practices are guarantees for the prevention of many infectious diseases. Provisions for better street food control should be taken to minimize infectious diseases due to street food.