5Department of Food Technology and Rural
Industries, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202,
Bangladesh
a Equal contribution
*Corresponding author
Md. Fahad Jubayer, Assistant Professor, Department of Food Engineering
& Technology, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh
Emails: jubayer.fet@sau.ac.bd, fahadbau21@hotmail.com
Phone: +8801876529642
Abstract: While people around the world are terrified of the
global pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and are dying for a
permanent solution, undertaking preventive safety measures are said to
be the most effective way to stay away from it. People’s adherence to
these measures is broadly dependent on their knowledge, attitude, and
practices (KAP). People working in the food industry must be extra
cautious during this time because they are in close proximity to
consumable items. The present study was designed to evaluate food
handlers’ knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding COVID-19 in a
food industry in Dhaka, Bangladesh. A number of 155 food handlers took
part in this online-based study. The information was collected from the
participants through a questionnaire prepared in Google form. With a
correct response rate of about 90% on average (knowledge 89.7%,
attitude 93%, practices 88.2%), the participants showed a good level
of KAP regarding COVID-19. However, education and working experiences
had a significant association with the total KAP scores (p <
0.05). Further KAP studies in different generic food industries in
Bangladesh should be carried out to bring a more precise picture for
ensuring the level of workplace and worker’s safety.
Keywords: COVID-19; food industry; knowledge; attitude;
practice; food handlers.