Articles

Frequent consumption of aflatoxins-contaminated spices has been linked to serious adverse health effects among consumers. The likelihood of exposure to these toxins is influenced by the level of public awareness. Controlling aflatoxins contamination throughout the food chain is critical for public health. This study aimed to assess the handling practices and awareness of aflatoxin contamination among micro- and small-scale spice processors. A total of 60 processors from 4 districts of two regions of Tanzania were interviewed. The results showed that while 56.7% of interviewed processors were aware of aflatoxin contamination in spices primarily through training (38.3%) and mass media (30%). However, there were still misconceptions regarding the causes and effects of aflatoxins to human health. It was observed that, poor drying and storage practices, inadequate monitoring of processors aggravated the situation. Nonetheless, all interviewed processors expressed willingness to participate in training programs to ensure quality and safety along the chain. The study findings underscore the necessity for targeted interventions to reduce aflatoxin risks in the spice value chain. These should include strengthened food safety inspections and enforcement, as well as tailored training and support for micro and small-scale spice processors. Enhancing their knowledge and ability to adopt proper handling, drying and storage practices is critical for enhancing food safety and safeguarding public health.

This study assessed the handling and processing practices of 30 small-scale folded vermicelli processors in Tanga, specifically in urban areas of Tanga City, Tanzania. However, the micro- and small-scale processors were producing in unhygienic way because they are lacking facilities and equipment to process and handle the product hygienically. Multistage sampling design was adopted for this study and face-to-face interviews were conducted to collect data from all processing units through nine streets using semi-structured questionnaires and observation checklists. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences, where the statistics aspect was determined from the results obtained. The processors found across various streets (ranging from 3.3% in Kwaminchi Street to 23.3% in Mabawa Street), exhibited diverse demographics, with 53.3% being owner-operators and 40% and 6.7% in labourer and supervisor roles, respectively. A significant portion (53.3%) had 1-3 years of experience, and a small portion (10%) attended formal training in pasta processing. Despite 73.3% possessing food manufacturing licenses, many were unfamiliar with legal requirements, lacking documentation and standardized processes, raising concerns about food safety. Raw materials were sourced locally, but 56.7% lacked storage facilities. Hygienic practices varied, with 43.3% undergoing periodic medical check-ups, 70% using protective gear, and 60% had hand washing facilities. Sun drying was the sole method employed, with 86.7% placed drying trays on rooftops. Packaging practices raised concerns, as 93.3% reused woven polypropylene bags, potentially impacting product quality. Awareness of aflatoxin and its health implications was lacking in 90% of the processors. Overall, the study highlighted gaps in awareness, training, and adherence to standards among processors, posing potential risks to food safety and quality. Encourage them to adhere with Tanzania Bureau of Standards requirements and formalize their quality control practices.

The teaching-learning relationship of natural medicine is key to avoid health problems in the population; adulterations and falsifications of frequently used plants are evident. The aim of this study is to raise public awareness and to urge institutions to incorporate contents in the student's curriculum. The curricula of different educational levels are analyzed to check the level of knowledge on the use of medicinal plants, as well as some regulations on quality controls. Of the wide range of species that are consumed by the population, some are detected in which adulterations and falsifications occur, although there is no danger in some cases, such as chamomiles, if a falsification occurs when consuming the whole plant instead of the flowering tops, which is where the properties reside. In other cases, adulteration occurs, generally unintentional, but very dangerous to health, such as horsetail. For a more effective quality control, we need public awareness and highly specialized personnel, with the capacity to inspect crops, markets and companies.

Women must be aware of the risk factors of pregnancy complications and the negative maternal and fetal health consequences to take preventative measures and management strategies that will result in a successful pregnancy. This study aimed to assess the Level of Knowledge about obstetric warning signs and the associated factors among pregnant Saudi women attending antenatal care in a tertiary care maternity set-up in Riyadh City. Data for this cross-sectional study were obtained using a structured questionnaire from eligible pregnant women admitted to King Saud Medical City (KSMC) between August 2020 and March 2021. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Out of a minimum estimated sample size of 170, researchers recruited 362 participants. As observed, only 92 people, or 25.4%, had enough knowledge about various educational levels. The majority (91.2%) lived in villages, had no history of chronic disease (74.0%), and said that it took them at least 30 minutes to commute from their home to the hospital (69.3%). Two hundred two (55.7%) lacked appropriate knowledge, although most women (76.2%) had one to four pregnancies. Poor psychological health resulted from 37 people's (10.2%) inadequate Awareness. Even though 139 (38.4%) had spent more than 15 minutes receiving education from medical staff and 200 (61.5%) had attended the prenatal care clinic more than four times, most lacked adequate knowledge. The variables education level (P=0.000), working status (P=0.022), and place of residence (P=0.044) showed a statistically significant association with the knowledge level, also only education level statistically significantly affected the likelihood of knowledge gaps. In conclusion, early identification of obstetric warning signs and associated risk factors of pregnancy complications is integral to prevention.

The study examined consumers’ Awareness in food hygiene and food borne diseases in Koforidua in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The research design for the study was a descriptive survey. The population of the study consists of one hundred (100) consumers. Convenience sampling technique was used to select seventy (70) consumers from the licensed food vendors and thirty (30) consumers from the unlicensed food vendors. Questionnaire was the main instrument for the study. The questionnaire had both open ended and close ended questions was on the consumers’ knowledge and perceptions on food borne diseases and the safety of foods. Data gathered checked, edited, coded, processed and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17. The study concluded that the consumers of vended foods have some knowledge of food hygiene and food borne diseases; however, they ignore the health hazards associated with poor food handling by food vendors and go ahead to patronize the food the vendors provide. The study also indicated consumers patronized street foods because prices were moderate as compared to the formal establishments and ignore the unhygienic conditions at the vending sites. The correlation analysis shows further that consumers patronage (r=-0.095) had negative and non-significant relationship with food handling practices. It is recommended that Consumers of vended foods should be educated to help improve upon their knowledge in food hygiene and food borne diseases to enable them make informed choices and also prompt regulatory bodies such as the environmental health officers on unacceptable food handling practices of food vendors. It is also recommended The Metropolitan/Municipal/District environmental health officers should ensure that inspection of street food vendors are carried out effectively, efficiently and regularly so as to monitor the food handling practices of the food vendors’ right from the time of preparation to the point of sale.

The study aimed at examining farmers’ perceptions on the impacts of climate change on food crops and the farming practices that contribute to climate change (CC) in Bibiani – Ahwiaso – Bekwai municipality of Western North Region of Ghana. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used for this study. The population of the study consisted of the number of households in six communities (Hwenampori, Wenchi, Tanoso, Awaso-Asempanaye, Kunkumso, and Sefwi Bekwai), officials from MoFA, GMA, and heads of households who are food crop farmers from the study area. Simple random and purposive sampling techniques were used to select respondents for the study. 231 respondents were selected and contacted for information to aid them in the study. The main instruments for data collection were the administration of questionnaires to farmers, organization of focus group discussions with key informants, the use of structured interview guides on MoFA directorates and direct observation of some farms. The primary and secondary data were sourced mainly from household heads from the study communities who are in the production of maize, cassava, and plantain. Pearson Chi-Square and Cross-tabulation of the IBM SPSS Version 20 were also used in performing descriptive statistical analysis. The study revealed that the output of maize, cassava, and plantain have all proved to be negatively impacted by changes in rainfall and temperature patterns with a more significant impact observed from maize responses to temperature. The study also indicated that the impact of climate change may affect the crops at any stage of the production process right from the land preparation to the maturity stage of crops but the more profound effect is observed at fruit development and maturation stages. The study indicated that changes in temperature affect crop yield, especially during the fruit/seed development stage. The study revealed that most farmers (about 92.2%) have observed climate change in the study area and indicated events like unpredictable rainfall patterns, excessively high temperatures and strong winds. It is recommended that capacity building and awareness creation should be enhanced by GMA and MoFA through the media to ensure that communication about climate change and food security is meaningful. This means that education on diversification of farming methods has not been enough if there is any at all in the area. Awareness creation, therefore, allows people to make informed and responsible decisions toward sustainable farming practices which will lead to food security and also environmental sustainability.

The study assessed knowledge base of food vendors’ hygiene practices in Koforidua in the eastern region of Ghana. As a descriptive survey study, fifty (50) respondents made up of food vendors were purposively and conveniently sampled respectively for the study. The data gathered was analyzed using SPSS Version 17 and converted into frequencies, percentages and tables. This study concluded that street food vendors do have relevant knowledge of hygienic food handling practices through the training they receive, but the knowledge they acquire is not put into practice. The study also revealed that effective and regular inspections by Environmental Health officers will couple stringent enforcement of all regulations governing their practices to streamline the activities of the food vendors for better health of their consumers. It is recommended that the training and certification of food vendors should be organized on a regular basis and should be designed using the Hazard Analysis of Critical Control Point (HACCP). Environmental Health Officers must conduct follow-up exercises after training programmes to ascertain whether food vendors are putting knowledge they have acquired into practice. It is also recommended that, the Metropolitan/Municipal/District environmental health officers should ensure that inspection of street food vendors are carried out effectively, efficiently and regularly so as to monitor the food handling practices of the food vendors’ right from the time of preparation to the point of sale. This is to ensure that food served to consumers is safe for consumption. Vendors who do not put the knowledge they have acquired into practice should have their certificates retrieved and signed up for retraining.