Research Article | 18 Apr 2026

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of poultry vendors toward food safety in traditional markets in Mymensingh, Bangladesh: Implications for One Health and public health interventions

M. Rafiqul Islam1 ORCID , Nasrin Islam1 ORCID , Md. Ashiquen Nobi1 ORCID , A. K. M. Ziaul Haque2 ORCID , Sk Shaheenur Islam3 ORCID , A. K. M. Anisur Rahman4 ORCID , Mohammad Ferdousur Rahman Khan1 ORCID , and S. M. Lutful Kabir1 ORCID Show more

1. Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh.

2. Kazi Farms Poultry Laboratory, Holding no-172, 1st Floor, Mymensingh Road, Chandana-Chowrasta, Gazipur-1702, Bangladesh.

3. Department of Livestock Services, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Dhaka-1215, Bangladesh.

4. Department of Medicine, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh.

Corresponding author: S. M. Lutful Kabir (lkabir79@bau.edu.bd)

Received: 2025-07-06, , Accepted: 13-10-2025 Published: 2026-04-18

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ONE HEALTH | pg no. 85-105 | Vol. 12, Issue 1 | DOI: 10.14202/IJOH.2026.85-105
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Abstract

          
Background and Aim: Food safety in traditional poultry markets remains a major public health concern in low- and middle-income countries, where inadequate hygiene, poor regulatory oversight, and limited vendor training contribute to the transmission of foodborne pathogens and zoonotic diseases. Poultry vendors represent a critical control point in the farm-to-plate continuum, and their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) directly influence the safety of poultry products. In Bangladesh, traditional wet markets supply the majority of poultry meat, yet information on vendor-level food safety behavior, particularly from a One Health perspective, remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the KAP of poultry vendors regarding food safety in traditional markets of Mymensingh district, Bangladesh, and to identify sociodemographic factors associated with inadequate food safety compliance. 
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey using questionnaires was carried out with 410 poultry vendors from five upazilas in Mymensingh district between July 2020 and June 2021. Vendors were chosen through stratified random sampling to represent various market types and vendor sizes. A structured, validated questionnaire evaluated sociodemographic data and KAP related to food hygiene, zoonotic disease transmission, antimicrobial resistance, personal protective measures, and waste management. The instrument's reliability and validity were confirmed through expert review, Cronbach’s alpha, and test–retest analysis. Data analysis was conducted using R software, employing descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multivariable logistic regression to explore links between vendor traits and KAP outcomes. Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05. 
Results: Only 40.73% of vendors demonstrated adequate knowledge of food safety, while 42.68% showed a favorable attitude, and only 28.78% reported proper hygienic practices. None of the vendors had received formal training related to food safety or zoonoses. Although most vendors were aware of general hygiene measures, such as cleaning equipment and maintaining shop sanitation, significant gaps were observed in knowledge of antimicrobial resistance, zoonotic disease transmission, and cross-contamination risks. Use of personal protective equipment was very low, and many markets lacked proper drainage and waste disposal systems. Education level was strongly linked to knowledge and practice scores (p < 0.05), while age and work experience were mainly associated with practices. Vendors selling multiple poultry types and those working in poorly regulated markets had higher odds of poor hygiene practices. 
Conclusion: The study found significant gaps in food safety knowledge and hygiene practices among poultry vendors in traditional Bangladeshi markets, creating serious risks to human, animal, and environmental health. Improving food safety requires mandatory vendor training, regular inspections, better market infrastructure, and integration of One Health–based policies involving veterinary, public health, and environmental authorities. Focused educational initiatives and stricter regulations are crucial to boost vendor compliance, reduce foodborne illnesses, and promote safer poultry production and marketing systems in Bangladesh. 

         
Keywords: antimicrobial resistance, Bangladesh, food safety, knowledge-attitude-practice, One Health, poultry vendors, traditional markets, zoonotic diseases.