Microbiological Quality of Weaning Foods and Hygiene-Related Risk Factors in Peri-Urban, Lusaka Zambia

Food contamination contributes to 40% of childhood diarrhoea cases globally. It occurs when pathogens are transmitted from faecal matter to food through the faecal oral route. Food hygiene can prevent food contamination and improve the microbial quality of weaning foods in domestic settings. However, context specific evidence is needed to identify risk factors associated with food contamination, especially in complex low-income communities. Our study used a modified Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point approach to assess the quality of weaning foods and identify associated risk factors in a low income setting of Lusaka, Zambia. We enrolled 60 caregivers of children aged <1 year who had beg