Food sanitation literacy of the food entrepreneurs club in Health Region 5

Abstract

This cross-sectional survey research aimed to study the level of food sanitation literacy and food sanitation practices of the food entrepreneurs club in Health Region 5. Compare the differences in food sanitation practices of the food entrepreneurs club classified by gender, age, marital status and education level, and study the relationship between food sanitation literacy and food sanitation practices of the food entrepreneurs club. The sample group was 382 club members, restaurants, and food stalls in Ratchaburi, Suphan Buri and Phetchaburi provinces. The data was collected between September and November 2024. The research tools consisted of personal factors, food sanitation knowledge and food sanitation practices. The content validity was approved by three experts. The content validity index was between .67-1.00 and the reliability was .72. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Independent t-test, One-way ANOWA and Pearson correlation coefficient.

The results of the study showed that most participants were female (75.39%). The majority were married (61.52%), aged 40–59 years (69.37%), and had completed primary education (51.31%). The participants’ food sanitation literacy was at a moderate level (x̄ = 95.59, SD = 19.59), and their food sanitation practices were also at a moderate level (x̄ = 71.70, SD = 15.09). A comparison of food sanitation practices by educational level revealed that participants with education above the primary level had significantly higher mean scores than those with only primary education (p = .001). Food sanitation literacy was strongly and positively correlated with food sanitation practices (r = .779, p < .001).