Abstract:
The consumption of raw meat has associated with cultural practices and widespread raw beef
consumption habit that can be a potential source for food borne illnesses in Ethiopia.
Therefore, the present study was intended to assess microbiological contamination and
associated risk factors in Harari City, Harari Regional State, Ethiopia. A cross sectional
study was employed where by a simple random sampling of Bucher shops (Groceries) in
Harar City. The meat samples were collected aseptically, processed and analyzed. The
hygienic practices of contamination of beef were assessed using a structured questionnaire
which was administered to retail meat shop and abattoirs workers. The result of the microbial
analysis of meat samples indicated significantly lower APC count (4.693 ±1.090) was
reported from samples collected from HS03 at P ≤ 0.05. However, no significance difference
in APC count was observed in the majority of meat samples collection sites. Most of the
samples recorded APC LogCFU/mg > 5 which indicated that there was high level of meat
contamination.Significantly lower number of total coliform count (4.760±0.86) was recorded
from samples collected from HS05 as compared to HS01, HS02, and HS04. The
contamination level of total coliform showed no significance difference between HS03 and
HS05.Significantly higher number of EBC Log CFU/mg (4.80±1.07) count was recorded in
meat samples collected from HS05 (P< 0.05). Meat samples collected from HS04 scored
significantly highest (5.93±0.8 LogCFU/mg) E. coli count as compared to other sites (P<
0.05). Moreover, the parasitical loads were also found to be high and can pose public health
risks. Additionally, The questionnaire survey of beef handling practices and hygienic
conditions of abattoirs and butcher shop workers in the study area demonstrated the majority
of the respondents have the shortage of detergents (55%, p>0.05), apron/white coat. The
assessment of beef handling practices of groceries in the study area presented about 66.7 %
(P>0.05) of the respondents handle meat without washing their hands, 63.3% (P>0.05) with
poor hygienic condition of white coat, and 60% (P>0.05) with poor hair cover though the
difference is insignificant (P>0.05). The assessment of hygienic practices of beef in groceries
in the study area found that there was poor hygienic condition of vehicle for beef transport
(53.3%, P>0.05), and poor hygienic condition of groceries (66.7%, P>0.05). The result of
this study indicated poor meat safety status and hygiene practices at meat retailers in Harar
city. Thus, appropriate meat safety intervention is needed.