ABSTRACT
There is a lack of research on the safety of bread in Ghana, although it is one of the foods consumed by most Ghanaians daily. The study, therefore, assessed the sanitary conditions of bakeries in the Tamale Metropolis and further evaluated the food safety practices of bakers in these bakeries. The study employed the use of a questionnaire to collect data in 24 carefully selected bakeries and then the food safety practices of bakers in these bakeries. Results showed that 91.7% of the bakeries had bakers wearing protective gears while working. All (100%) the bakeries were free of domestic animals and a visible presence of insects, rodents or vectors. However, 6(25%) bakeries placed their solid waste containers in the bakery premises. Also, 89.5% of the bakers indicated that they always wash their hands with soap and water before working or handling baking ingredients and materials. All (100%) bakers indicated that they check the expiry dates of their bakery ingredients before using them. 29.8% of the bakers, however, did not make it a practice of refrigerating bakery ingredients that require to be stored in the fridge when not in use. In conclusion, most bakeries had good sanitary conditions and were managed in a manner that ensure food safety. Bakers also exhibited a good level of food safety adherence. Managers should continue to ensure that good sanitary standards are followed and food risk analysis concepts like HACCP are implemented in the bakery to check new and complex food safety threats.
ABSTRACT
Background: Adolescence is the stage at which health behavior is formed. Limited information about family life leaves adolescent girls susceptible to greater risks from sexual abuse, pregnancy, and violence. Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the baseline knowledge regarding family life education with a greater emphasis on nutrition and subsequent change after intervention through family life education by the expert. Materials and Methods: Study design: It is a cross-sectional intervention study (pre and post). Study subject: Adolescent girls from 11 to 16 years were taken. Sample size: The sample size was 206. Sampling method: Lottery method. The pilot study was conducted from July 1, 2013, to August 31, 2013, among 50 adolescent girl students (20% of the sample size) from Zilla Parishad High School, Nidamanuru. Results: Of the 250 study subjects, 20 (8%) were age group of 11–12 years, 190 (76%) were 13–14 years were age group, and 40 (16%) were 15–16 years age group. Knowledge regarding small family norm was improved from 84.40% to 97.20% with educational intervention which is statistically highly significant (P < 0.05). Knowledge regarding increased demand for nutrition and iron during adolescence was improved from 39.20% to 92.40% after educational intervention which is highly statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The key to improved quality of life and stable family life lies in better understanding of nutritional, emotional, and physical requirements of life by the adolescent girl which is lacking but can be achieved by creating health awareness among them.