Perception of Mobile Street Food Vendors in Osun State, Nigeria on Some Operational Issues and Their Exposure to Health Hazards

Abstract

Street food vending plays a critical role in urban food access and livelihood generation in Nigeria, yet empirical evidence on vendors’ socio-economic conditions, health experiences, and regulatory interactions remains limited. This study assessed mobile street food vendors in selected towns of Osun State using a cross-sectional survey design. Data were collected from 219 vendors, of whom over 75% were female, and analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Most vendors were married adults with dependants and had attained at least secondary education. Significant gender differences were observed in location, age, marital status, education, dependency burden, employment status, monthly profit, daily sales turnover, business ownership, and vending terms (p < 0.05). Daily sales turnover was commonly between $0.67 and $3.33, while monthly profits were generally modest. Nearly all respondents (97.7%) operated as mobile vendors, with 54.3% selling local cooked foods. Although 72.1% considered their vending technology appropriate, 54.8% did not sell all food items daily, indicating risks of spoilage and income loss. Health concerns were prevalent, with 63.0% reporting occasional illness and 60.1% experiencing body pain since engaging in street vending. Regulatory engagement was minimal, as 96.8% reported no interaction with government authorities. The findings highlight the economic importance yet vulnerability of mobile street food vendors, underscoring the need for inclusive regulation, food safety training, and gender-responsive support interventions.