Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40608752›Full record

ArticlePloS one2025

Factors affecting microbial safety behavior of beef handlers working in major beef retailers in Mizan-Aman, Southwest Ethiopia.

Girma Mamo Zegene, Seid Tiku Mereta, Seblework Mekonen

Erratum issuedAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. An erratum has been issued. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Girma Mamo ZegeneDepartment of Public Health, Mizan Aman Health Science College, Mizan Aman, Ethiopia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2593-3187
Seid Tiku MeretaDepartment of Water and Health, Ethiopian Institute of Water Resources, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Seblework MekonenDepartments of Environmental Health Science and Technology, Director, Center for One Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundBeef is a key component of human diet but also a favorable medium for microbial growth. However, research has largely overlooked major beef retailers and the specific roles of handlers, missing critical points for intervention. This study aims to address these gaps to support targeted microbial safety measures based on handlers' specific roles in beef processing.

methodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in Mizan-Aman, Southwest Ethiopia, from February 20 to April 20, 2024. The sample size was determined using a single population proportion formula, resulting in the inclusion of 372 participants, yielding a response rate of 360 (96.8%). Beef retailers were randomly selected, while beef handlers were chosen through systematic sampling technique. Data collection was done using a structured questionnaire and observation checklist. Following a quality assessment, the data were analyzed using STATA 16, employing descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Bivariable analysis (p ≤ 0.25) was performed to identify variables for multivariable analysis. Statistical significance was assessed using adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), with a significance level set at p < 0.05.

resultsFindings indicated that a significant proportion of beef handlers demonstrated inadequate knowledge (61%), negative attitudes (58%), and insufficient safety practices (55%). Among several factors associated with knowledge, attitude and practice of beef handlers, training in food safety was linked to good knowledge (AOR = 4.17, 95% CI: 1.15-15.12), while the role of a waiter was associated with both good knowledge (AOR = 4.5, 95% CI: 1.83-10.95), and more favorable attitudes (AOR = 2.8, 95% CI: 1.02-7.31). On the other hand, poor knowledge (AOR = 4.40, 95% CI: 2.44-7.94) and unfavorable attitudes (AOR = 4.84, 95% CI: 2.62-8.95) were significantly correlated with inadequate microbial safety practices.

conclusionMany beef handlers lack sufficient knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding beef safety, regardless of their job roles. Improving microbial safety requires strategies such as formal education, training, health checks, and certification.

Indexed as

Food HandlingFood MicrobiologyFood SafetyRed MeatAdultAnimalsCattleCross-Sectional StudiesEthiopiaFemaleHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeHumansMaleMiddle AgedSurveys and QuestionnairesYoung Adult

Identifiers

PMID40608752
PMCPMC12225834

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.