@article{10.11648/j.sjph.20251306.18,
  author = {Linda Francois and Dwayne Shorlon Renville and Tandeka Barton and Bunnel Bernard},
  title = {Attitudes Toward Food Safety Among Street Food Vendors in Demerara-Mahaica, Guyana},
  journal = {Science Journal of Public Health},
  volume = {13},
  number = {6},
  pages = {390-410},
  doi = {10.11648/j.sjph.20251306.18},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20251306.18},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sjph.20251306.18},
  abstract = {Street food vending provides an important source of income and affordable meals in Guyana; however, its largely informal nature raises persistent concerns regarding food safety and public health. Vendors’ attitudes toward food safety are critical, as attitudes influence food-handling behaviors and can ultimately affect the risk of foodborne illness. Despite this relevance, no empirical study in Guyana has previously examined food safety attitudes among street food vendors, creating a notable gap in the food safety literature. This study aimed to assess food safety attitudes among night street food vendors in the Demerara-Mahaica region and to examine the extent to which demographic characteristics are associated with these attitudes. Demographic and attitude data were derived from a larger street food safety survey, in which a questionnaire was administered to 104 vendors between April and June 2024. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize overall attitude patterns. At the same time, hypothesis tests using the chi-square test, t-tests, ANOVA, and binary logistic regression assessed associations between attitudes and demographic characteristics. The results show that most vendors demonstrated a positive attitude toward general food safety principles; however, notable misconceptions emerged in areas requiring a technical understanding. These include proper thawing, refreezing, cross-contamination, and the cold storage hierarchy. Statistically significant associations were identified between a few high-risk attitude items and overall attitude scores. The logistic regression model comprises education level and place of schooling, and, based on the Nagelkerke R2 statistic, it explains 10% of the variation in attitude scores. These findings indicate that although vendors value food safety, targeted, context-appropriate education is necessary to address persistent misconceptions that may compromise safe practices. Efforts to strengthen vendor training, enhance risk communication, and support regulatory oversight could meaningfully improve food safety outcomes within Guyana’s informal street food sector.},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Attitudes Toward Food Safety Among Street Food Vendors in Demerara-Mahaica, Guyana
AU  - Linda Francois
AU  - Dwayne Shorlon Renville
AU  - Tandeka Barton
AU  - Bunnel Bernard
Y1  - 2025/12/29
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20251306.18
DO  - 10.11648/j.sjph.20251306.18
T2  - Science Journal of Public Health
JF  - Science Journal of Public Health
JO  - Science Journal of Public Health
SP  - 390
EP  - 410
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-7950
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20251306.18
AB  - Street food vending provides an important source of income and affordable meals in Guyana; however, its largely informal nature raises persistent concerns regarding food safety and public health. Vendors’ attitudes toward food safety are critical, as attitudes influence food-handling behaviors and can ultimately affect the risk of foodborne illness. Despite this relevance, no empirical study in Guyana has previously examined food safety attitudes among street food vendors, creating a notable gap in the food safety literature. This study aimed to assess food safety attitudes among night street food vendors in the Demerara-Mahaica region and to examine the extent to which demographic characteristics are associated with these attitudes. Demographic and attitude data were derived from a larger street food safety survey, in which a questionnaire was administered to 104 vendors between April and June 2024. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize overall attitude patterns. At the same time, hypothesis tests using the chi-square test, t-tests, ANOVA, and binary logistic regression assessed associations between attitudes and demographic characteristics. The results show that most vendors demonstrated a positive attitude toward general food safety principles; however, notable misconceptions emerged in areas requiring a technical understanding. These include proper thawing, refreezing, cross-contamination, and the cold storage hierarchy. Statistically significant associations were identified between a few high-risk attitude items and overall attitude scores. The logistic regression model comprises education level and place of schooling, and, based on the Nagelkerke R2 statistic, it explains 10% of the variation in attitude scores. These findings indicate that although vendors value food safety, targeted, context-appropriate education is necessary to address persistent misconceptions that may compromise safe practices. Efforts to strengthen vendor training, enhance risk communication, and support regulatory oversight could meaningfully improve food safety outcomes within Guyana’s informal street food sector.
VL  - 13
IS  - 6
ER  - 

Copy | Download