Lesson 3

Activity 3.3

I. Introduction
A. Background
Street foods are everywhere around the world. These street foods are described as ready-to-eat
foods.
In our country street foods are prepared and sold by the vendors that we can see along the streets.
These are either commercially or manually prepared by the vendors that we use to see along the streets or
way. Most street foods are those we can dip it with a unique sauce prepared by the vendors where it
makes the food taste good or better. Examples of these street foods: kwek-kwek (made of quail eggs
covered in orange dough and deep fried), isaw (chicken intestine put on a stick and grilled), fishball
(minced fish rolled into balls), balut (pre-hatched duck eggs), atay(marinated and barbequed liver of
chicken), calamares (deep-fried battered squid rings), and kikiam (made of ground pork and vegetables
wrapped in bean curd sheets then deep-fried until golden). Most of these street foods are instantly
prepared to customers walking along the streets. However, these customers are not aware regarding the
health risks that can be caused by eating these street foods in regular basis.
For people who love to eat street foods, they should have to be cautious enough to the things that
could affect their health. They might regret once they acquire several diseases that may cause a severe
discomfort after consuming contaminated foods.
There are health risks of eating street foods that can cause diseases. When we walk along the
street, we always see different varieties of food that can cause our mouth to salivate. The bright-colored
foods engage our appetite to have an interesting impression to have a try on some of these food items
upon looking at them being cooked along the street. However, we might not know that there are risks that
can be associated with consuming foods that are serve on the streets that might have already affected
other individuals without our knowledge.
The health risks of street foods are not only determined by the concentration of various additives
and contaminants of these foods, but also the daily intake of a certain additive throughout a consumer’s
diet.
These are health risks of eating street foods:
a. Acquiring contagious diseases- if we eat street foods, we often acquire several variety of
diseases that affects our health on either a contemporary or permanent basis.
b. We can contact worms- streets are filled with dust and air that is carried by the wind will
descend in some of the street food.
c. Develop allergies- eating street foods could cause an allergic reaction to our body, especially if
we are eating street foods that are mixed with ingredients that contain allergies.
 d. We are at risk of developing cancer- street foods are always prepared in charcoal. The problem
is that the charcoal will pop out and then will get stuck into the food while we are eating. These
substances are referred as carcinogens, which are substances that increase the amount of free radicals in
our body to cause cancerous substances.
e. Suffer from food-borne disease- unsanitary street foods can cause food-borne disease such as
bacterial infection to our digestive system. If we happen to eat some of these harmful pathogens we
develop diarrhea, vomiting, and loose watery stools, when we suffer from this particular ailment, we
might be at risk for dehydration.

B. Objective of the study

The study aims to determine the level of awareness of adolescence in our barangay on the health
risks of eating street foods.

C. Significance of the study

This study is to be conducted to determine the level of awareness of adolescence in our barangay
on the health risk of eating street foods. Result of this study will serve as basis for the health program in
our barangay likewise to the local government of Sto. Tomas, La union for healthy municipality.

D. Related Literature
According to Mr. Rolando Santiago, Department of Health in the Philippines, street foods or its
equivalent is defined as food department and/or sold by vendors in streets and other public places for
immediate consumption or consumption at a later time without further processing or preparation.
Many adolescence buy street foods for a number of reasons for they are inexpensive, affordable
and convenient, to get flavorful food at a reasonable price and often appealing for the adolescence both in
the rural or urban area all over the world. However, this adolescence who are fond of eating street foods
don’t know how hazardous it is and how it is made.
Eating street foods may be cheap, however, there were also dangers that caused health problems.
There was a case of a 40 years old woman who suffered vomiting, scarred skin and muscle pain after
eating calmares. A series of laboratory test was made conducted by the Bureau of Food and Drugs, they
found out that there was a big amount of formalin (a preservative) in the imported frozen squids. The
contaminated calmares caused an adverse effect in the woman’s body that circulated through her blood.
According to World Health Organization (WHO) International Food Safety report last June 2010
include the following:
a. High levels of toxic chemicals, residue and unapproved food additives such as textile dyes.
b. Pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella, Staphylococcus, Aurous, Clostridium Perfrigens and
Vibrio Cholera.
c. Contaminants may also be introduced where dust and vehicular traffic contribute to pollution
levels.
 Dr. Ahmed al-Safani (2008), an internist advised all Muslims in the month of Ramadan, not to eat
the unsafe kinds of food such as street foods, which they used and purchase to be eaten during Ramadan.
Such foods can lead to infection by many diseases especially typhoid fever. Typhoid fever is a potentially
life-threatening illness that is caused by the bacteria salmonella typhi (S. typhi). Persons with typhoid
fever carry the bacteria in their bloodstream and intestinal tract and can spread the infection directly to
other people by contaminating food or water. Anyone can get typhoid fever if they drink water or eat food
contaminated with the S. typhi bacteria.
Dr. al-Safani (2008) added that fasting during the Islamic month of Ramadan can be good for
one’s health and personal Development. But people should be careful of having such kinds of street
foods, which are mostly contaminated and cooked in bad hygiene, to maintain their bodies in good health
during the month of Ramadan. People also must maintain their personal hygiene to avoid health
problems.

II. Body
In this study, a descriptive method of research is utilized with a questionnaire as the main tool for
gathering the data needed. The questionnaire is administered to some adolescence in our barangay. The
statistical tools used in analyzing the data gathered from the instrument where frequency and percentage.

Profile of Respondents
Table I: Parents’ Occupation

Variables Father Mother

Frequency Percentage Frequency Percentage
Professional 3 10 3 10
Self-employed 22 73 20 67
Business 5 17 7 23
Total 30 100 30 100

As shown in the table 10% of the fathers were professional, 73% were self-employed and
17% were engaged in business. For the mothers 10% were professional, 67% were self-employed and
23% were engaged also in business.
Table II: Presents the Eating Practices of the Respondents in terms of the different kinds of
street foods, frequency of eating and reasons for eating street foods.

Table II A: Kinds of Street Foods

Variables Frequency Percentage

Isaw 20 67
Barbecue 30 100
Fishballs 28 93
Kikiam 27 90
Kwek-kwek 15 50
Tokneneng 23 77
Calmares (squid) 10 33

The table above revealed that among the different street foods listed barbecue got 100%. Another
street food elicited is fishballs with 93%. Next among the favorite street foods of the respondents are
kikiam with 90%, tokneneng 77%, isaw 67%, kwek-kwek 50% and calmares (squid) 30%.

Table II B: Frequency of Eating Street Foods

Variables Frequency Percentage

Daily 0 0
Weekly 12 40
Twice a week 14 47
Thrice a week 4 13
Once a week 0 0

As revealed in the table of the 30 respondents, nobody eats everyday, weekly 40%, twice a week
47%, thrice a week 13% and nobody eats once a week.
 Table II C: Reasons for Eating Street Foods

Variables Frequency Percentage

Very cheap 15 50
Very delicious 12 40
Unique flavor 3 10

On this table above it can be gleaned that among the reasons of the respondents very cheap got
the highest percentage with 50%, very delicious 40% and unique flavor with 10%.

Table III: This table presents the level of awareness on the health risks of eating street
foods by the respondents.

Legend: Rating Scale

5- Very Much Aware 2- Moderately Aware
4- Much Aware 1- Not Aware
3- Aware

Level of Awareness on the Health Risks of Street Foods by the Respondents

Variables 5 4 3 2 1
F % F % F % F % F %
Acquire 4 13 9 30 10 33 7 23
Contagions
Disease
Can Contact 8 27 10 33 5 17 7 23
Worms
Develop 5 17 5 17 11 37 9 30
Allergies
Develop 3 10 6 20 12 40 9 30
Cancer

Suffer from 6 20 5 17 12 40 7 23
food borne
disease

As reflected in the table, the respondents were not fully aware and had insufficient knowledge on
the health risk of eating street foods.
III. Conclusion
 All the respondents of the said study loved to eat street foods that served us their merienda.
However, they don’t know the health risks of eating these street foods.
The researcher recommends that all health officers in each barangay should conduct seminars on
street foods and invite parents to attend the said seminars.
Result

With the variables in the students profile, parents have 42 males and 38 females.

Out of the parents 73 or 91.25% were elementary graduates and 7 or 8.75% were high

school graduates. Nobody among the parents went to college. On the eating practices of the

respondents in terms of the different kinds of street foods isaw and fish balls were 100%,

kikiam 96.25%, barbecue 93.25%, Betamax 91.25%, Adidas 83.75%, tokneneng 72.50%,

helmet 58.75%, calmares 50% and kwek-kwek 31.25%. Frequency of eating daily 72 or

90%, weekly 66 or 82.50%, twice a week 57 or 71.25%, thrice a week 30 or 37.50% and

once a week 48 or 60%. Reasons for eating street foods very cheap 100%, very delicious

96.25% and unique flavor with 91.25%. Regarding the level of their awareness on the health

risks of eating street foods- Acquire contagion disease- 25 or 31.25% much aware, 35 or

43.75% aware, 20 or 25% moderately aware. Can contact worms- 18 or 22.50% much aware,

25 or 31.25% aware, 30 or 17.50% moderately aware,7 or 8.25% not aware. Develop

Allergies- very much aware 10 or 12.50%, much aware 10or 12.50%, aware 25 or 43. 75%,
moderately aware 15 or 18.75% and not aware 1 or 1.25%.

The respondents loved to eat street foods. They loved to eat street foods due to the

unique flavor, very cheap and very delicious.

As to their level of awareness, they don’t have enough knowledge and not fully aware

on their health risk of eating street foods.

Their parents also lack knowledge and not aware of the diseases that their children

get from this street foods maybe due to educational attainment and business.
 CHAPTER V

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Summary:

The research study sought to find out the awareness of the Senior High School

Students on the health risks of eating street foods. The respondents were the Senior High

School Students of Sto. Tomas National High School. The respondents were chosen at

random.

The researchers made a survey questionnaire. The data gathered from the instrument

were tallied, analyzed and interpreted.

Conclusions:

Based on the findings, the following conclusions were made:

1. The profile of all the parents of the respondents with respect to the different

variables were good.

2. The students had insufficient knowledge on the health risks of eating sheet foods

likewise they were not fully aware of them.

Recommendations:

1. Parents and students should be encouraged to attain seminars regarding street

foods.

2. Health teachers should incorporate lessons on health hazards of street foods.

 SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE

I. Respondent’s Profile

Name:

a. Parent’s Occupation:
Please put a check mark on the occupation of your parents.
Father: Professional
Self-employed
Business
Mother: Professional
Self-employed
Business

b. Parent’s Monthly Income:

Father:
Mother:

II. Eating Practices

A. Kinds of Street Foods:

Please check the street food you usually eat.

1. Isaw 6. Helmet

2. Barbeque 7. Adidas

3. Fishballs 8. Kwek-kwek

4. Kikiam 9. Tokneneng

5. Betamax 10. Calamares

 B. Please put a check mark on how frequent do you eat street foods.

1. Daily

2. Weekly

3. Twice a week

4. Thrice a week

5. Once a week

C. Kindly check your reasons for eating street foods.

1. Very cheap

2. Very Delicious

3. Unique Flavor

III. Level of Awareness on the health risk on eating street foods

Please encircle the number which indicates how aware you are on the health risk of eating
street foods.

Legend:
5 – Very much aware
4 – Much aware
3 – Aware
2 – Moderately aware
1 – Not aware

a. Acquire contiguous disease 5 4 3 2 1

b. Can contact worms 5 4 3 2 1
c. Develop allergies 5 4 3 2 1
d. Develop cancer 5 4 3 2 1
e. Suffer from food-borne disease 5 4 3 2 1