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ABSTRACT
Background: Food safety is an essential public health concern, particularly in institutional eating environments such as university bukateria complexes, where large populations are served daily. The knowledge, attitude and practices of food handlers play a pivotal role in preventing foodborne illnesses. This study investigates these factors among food handlers in the University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices relating to food safety among food handlers in university bukateria complexes and to identify influencing factors. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 260 food handlers in the University of Benin bukateria complexes. Data was collected via structured questionnaires. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS, employing descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to determine associations between variables. Results: Of the respondents, 234 (90%) demonstrated good food safety knowledge and 249 (95.8%) exhibited positive attitude towards food safety. However, only 184 (70.8%) reported always washing hands before and after handling foods, and 207 (79.6%) regularly cleaned their work stations. Significant associations were observed between knowledge and education level (p=0.034), with tertiary education holders displaying the highest knowledge levels (96.7%). Discussion: Despite strong knowledge and positive attitudes, gaps exist in practice. Continuous monitoring and enhanced training are necessary to mitigate foodborne illness risks in these settings. Conclusion: This study emphasizes the importance of ongoing food safety training and stricter enforcement of hygiene protocols in university food service settings. Keywords: Food safety, food handlers, bukateria, food borne illnesses.
