Evaluation of Hygiene Practices Among Food Vendors and Implications for Students' Health in Selected Tertiary Institutions in Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Food hygiene practices among vendors in tertiary institutions significantly influence students' health and academic performance. However, there is limited multi-institutional evidence on vendor hygiene compliance across public tertiary institutions in Ogun State, Nigeria. This study evaluated hygiene practices among food vendors and their implications for students' health across five selected tertiary institutions in Ogun State. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was adopted. The target population comprised an estimated 850 food vendors across the Federal College of Education Abeokuta (FCE), the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB), the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), and the Federal Polytechnic Ilaro. Using the Krejcie and Morgan (1970) sample size determination table, 270 food vendors were selected through a multistage sampling procedure. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics comprising frequency counts and percentages. Findings revealed that food vendors demonstrated good knowledge of food hygiene practices, with agreed responses accounting for 309.8º out of 360 on the knowledge subscale. A high level of hygiene practice compliance was similarly observed, with agreed responses representing 317.9º. The overwhelming majority of respondents acknowledged that poor food hygiene practices negatively affect students' health, including increased illness and absenteeism, corresponding to 313.9º of agreement. Broad endorsement of hygiene promotion strategies, such as the use of protective clothing, water treatment, and utensil sanitation, was also recorded at 317.6º. While food vendors across the selected institutions possess adequate knowledge of hygiene, behavioural compliance and institutional support remain inconsistent across institution types. Periodic food safety training, regulatory supervision, adequate sanitation infrastructure, and institutional policy frameworks are critical for sustaining hygienic practices and protecting students' health in Ogun State tertiary institutions.