Hand Hygiene Knowledge and Self-Reported Hand Washing Behaviors among Restaurant Kitchen Chefs in Jiangsu Province, China

Bin Cui, Shao Ying Li, Linda Dong-Ling Wang, Xiang Chen, Jun Ke and Yi Tian
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Bin Cui: Business School of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, China
Shao Ying Li: Business School of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, China
Linda Dong-Ling Wang: Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, China
Xiang Chen: Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, China
Jun Ke: Business School of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, China
Yi Tian: Business School of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, China

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 4, 1-15

Abstract: Inadequate hand washing among chefs is a major contributor to outbreaks of foodborne illnesses originating in restaurants. Although many studies have evaluated hand hygiene knowledge (HHK) and self-reported hand washing behaviors (HWBs) in restaurant workers in different countries, little is known about HHK and HWBs in restaurant kitchen chefs, particularly in China. In this study, we interviewed 453 restaurant kitchen chefs in Jiangsu Province in China regarding their HHK and HWBs and used Chi-square tests (Fisher exact tests), pairwise comparisons, and linear regression models to analyze the responses and identify determinants of HHK and HWBs. Results reveal that less frequent hand washing after leaving work temporarily and after touching used cutlery were the main issues among restaurant kitchen chefs in Jiangsu Province. Kitchen hands had lower levels of HHK and engaged less frequently in good HWBs than the other type of chefs. Furthermore, working in a large restaurant and having worked in the restaurant industry for a longer amount of time were correlated with better HHK and HWBs. These findings suggest that close attention should be paid to the HWBs of chefs during food preparation, that kitchen hands are the key group of restaurant kitchen workers who need training in HHK, and that regulatory activities should focus on small-scale restaurants.

Keywords: hand hygiene knowledge; hand washing; self-reported behaviors; restaurant kitchens; Chinese chefs (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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