Knowledge of Food Safety and Handling Among Domestic Workers in Ibadan Metropolis

This study examines the knowledge of food safety and handling practices among domestic workers in Ibadan Metropolis, Oyo State, South West Nigeria. Domestic workers who prepare meals for households are often the first line of defence against food-borne illness, yet they frequently lack formal training in food safety. The study adopts a descriptive survey design, targeting 240 domestic workers in Ibadan North and Ibadan South West local government areas, recruited through household referrals and domestic worker associations. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and knowledge assessment test. Objectives include assessing domestic workers' knowledge of basic food safety principles, identifying common unsafe food handling practices, and determining the influence of educational background on food safety knowledge levels. Recent literature highlights food-borne illness outbreaks in Nigerian urban households as partly attributable to poor food handling by untrained domestic workers. Data were analysed using mean scores, chi-square, and t-tests. The Health Belief Model frames the study, linking perceived susceptibility and cues to action with food safety behaviour. Findings are expected to reveal significant knowledge deficits among domestics without secondary education. Recommendations address household employers, Home Economics educators, and labour agencies to mandate food safety training for domestic workers. Keywords: food safety, food handling, domestic workers, household health, Ibadan.