Cross-sectional study on food safety knowledge, attitude, and practices of food handlers in the CBD area, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Abstract

Every year, diseases caused by contaminated food and water have caused the death of up to 2 million people, especially amongst children. However, some challenges prevent food handlers from adhering to proper food handling practices. Thus, this cross-sectional study, conducted from September 2024 to February 2025, aims to identify the levels of knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) among food handlers at food premises licensed by local authorities in the Central Business District (CBD) area of Kota Kinabalu. A total of 351 food handlers from restaurants were surveyed through a descriptive quantitative questionnaire, and the data were analysed using SPSS version 30.0 software. The result demonstrates that the food handlers have a good level of knowledge (4.41±0.49), a very positive attitude (4.58±0.44), and a very good level of practice (4.58±0.43) in food safety. The food handlers have very good practices of preparing food on the table and not on the floor (4.73±0.45), while the lowest score, but still of a good level, was about food handlers' understanding that taking anti-typhoid injections is intended to prevent typhoid fever (4.25±0.78). Demographic factors such as age, education, salary, training, and work experience influence the KAP of food handlers. A positive association between knowledge and attitude (rp = 0.75, p < 0.01), knowledge and practice (rp = 0.57, p < 0.01), and practice and attitude (rp = 0.60, p < 0.01). This is an indicator for policymakers to review and improve law enforcement, as well as provide guidance to food premises operators in planning selective food safety training based on the KAPs of CBD area food handlers.