Hygienic practices by vendors of the street food "doubles" and public perception of vending practices in Trinidad, West Indies

This study investigated the hygienic practices by vendors of street food "doubles" and the public perception of these practices. Doubles is an East Indian-originated food comprised of two "baras" with a filling of curried "channa"/chickpea (Cicer arietinum). A structured questionnaire was administered to 120 street vendors and 115 public members in Trinidad, West Indies. Most vendors are male (61.7%), had been vending for 5 years (81.7%) and received primary level of education (72.5%). Preparation of doubles was mainly by family (84.2%) in the morning of vending (81.7%). Vendors were appropriately dressed (99.2%), used forks/spoons (100%) and tongs (81.7%) for serving. At vending sites, containers with faucets supplied water (85.7%) and toilets were not close (97.5%). Most respondents (86.1%) consumed doubles. Some (30.6%) felt ill from eating doubles, but only 2.7% reported to a medical doctor/health authority. Significant associations were found for vending practices and sanitation of vending environment.