Peningkatan Pengetahuan Pedagang Makanan Tentang Sanitasi, Personal Hygiene, Dan Food Handling Di Kecamatan Pauh Kota Padang

Abstract

Food vendors play a vital role in ensuring food safety and consumer health, as they are directly involved in food preparation. Therefore, the application of personal hygiene and environmental sanitation is essential. Personal hygiene includes maintaining cleanliness through handwashing, body care, and appropriate attire. Environmental sanitation refers to efforts to create a clean and healthy environment. Adequate knowledge is necessary to influence vendors' attitudes and behaviors in practicing hygienic food handling. This study utilized a total sampling technique, in which the entire population was included as the sample for the research. This community service activity employed educational outreach and door-to-door interviews with 119 food vendors located in Cupak Tangah Sub-district, Padang City. Participant characteristics showed an age range of 18–51 years, with an average age of 26 years, and most respondents had completed senior high school. The intervention covered two topics: personal hygiene and sanitation. Prior to the intervention, only 3.3% of vendors demonstrated adequate knowledge of personal hygiene and 4.4% had knowledge of environmental sanitation. Following the educational intervention, knowledge levels increased significantly, reaching 100%. Education proved effective in significantly increasing food vendors’ knowledge of personal hygiene, environmental sanitation, and food handling practices. Similar interventions are recommended to enhance food safety awareness among small-scale vendors.