Knowledge about kitchen hygiene and associated factors in caregivers in a peri-urban area of Lima [version 1; peer review: 1 approved with reservations]

• Published in: F1000 research Vol. 11; p. 149
• Main Authors: Lozada-Urbano, Michelle, Miranda, Doris, Huamán, Franklin, Chirinos-Cáceres, Jesus, Rivera-Lozada, Oriana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2022
• Subjects: storage; kitchen; food; knowledge; cleanliness
• ISSN: 2046-1402; 2046-1402
• DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.75446.1

Background: The objective of this study was to identify the factors associated with caregivers' knowledge of kitchen hygiene in San Juan de Lurigancho (SJL).
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. We surveyed 250 mothers at
comedores populares (a sort of community kitchens which are very popular in Lima) and who were part of mothers' clubs in the areas of Huascar V and San Pablo, in SJL in Lima. The sample was selected through non-probability convenience sampling. A questionnaire with three dimensions (cleanliness, storage and contamination of children) was administered.
Results: On average, in Huascar and San Pablo, most caregivers were the children's mothers (93.2%); most of the caregivers were between 21 and 30 years old (54%); they had secondary level of education (70.4%); they were living in free union with their partners (69.2%); they were mainly housewives (80.4%); their houses were constructed with materials different from brick and cement (68.4%); and their houses had a bare floor (70.0%). They did not have drinking water in the kitchen (88.4%); they did not use a gas stove (88.4%), a refrigerator (50.0%), a radio (82.0%), or a microwave (16.4%). A good level of knowledge of food hygiene was found in 63.2% of caregivers. No predictive capacity of the assessed sociodemographic characteristics on the level of knowledge of kitchen hygiene was identified.
Conclusions: This study determined that the assessed sociodemographic variables were not significantly associated with the level of knowledge about kitchen hygiene. It is necessary to improve mothers' knowledge about the handling and consumption of spoiled food and their effect on children's health.