Knowledge, attitudes and practices study on pig meat hygiene at slaughterhouses and markets in Chiang Mai province, Thailand

Jenpanich, C. 2015. Knowledge, attitudes and practices study on pig meat hygiene at slaughterhouses and markets in Chiang Mai province, Thailand. MVPH thesis, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand and Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.

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.