The lack of evidence on service levels and regulations suggests an absence of clear standards for services in outdoor food markets in Africa. This is in contrast to the requirements set out, often in occupational health and safety regulations, in high-income countries for similar settings. If environmental hygiene is to be improved in outdoor food markets as a strategy to protect public health, developing recommendations for what should constitute a minimum level of services would appear to be useful to help guide investments. The development of such levels of service would be best undertaken at a national level, but as a point of departure, we suggest below (Table 5) a minimum package of services that would support decision-making.
Minimum package of services for outdoor food markets
| Service . | Minimum set of requirements in market settings . |
|---|---|
| Water supply | One tap for every 20 traders, plus sufficient to provide one tap per 200 customers. Taps located throughout the market area. Water should be continuously available at least throughout the hours of operation of the market (including loading, packing up and cleaning) |
| Sanitation | One toilet for every 20 traders with sufficient stances to ensure one toilet per 200 customers. Toilets should be gender separated and women's toilets should include provision for menstrual hygiene management |
| Handwashing stations | One handwashing station for every 15 trader plus provision for one handwashing station for every 25 customers. Handwashing stations outside each toilet. Every handwashing station should have soap and/or hand sanitiser available and this should be regularly checked (at least daily) and re-stocked |
| Solid waste disposal | Separated organic and non-organic waste in covered bins (minimum). One bin per 20 traders. Bins located outside market and in a secure area that is cleaned at least weekly. Organic waste collected daily |
| Drainage (grey and blue water) | All roofs with gutters linked to surface drainage; surface drains in market cleaned daily. Internal drains within markets sullage collection from trader stall linked to covered internal drainage system linked to soakaway or sewerage |
| Service . | Minimum set of requirements in market settings . |
|---|---|
| Water supply | One tap for every 20 traders, plus sufficient to provide one tap per 200 customers. Taps located throughout the market area. Water should be continuously available at least throughout the hours of operation of the market (including loading, packing up and cleaning) |
| Sanitation | One toilet for every 20 traders with sufficient stances to ensure one toilet per 200 customers. Toilets should be gender separated and women's toilets should include provision for menstrual hygiene management |
| Handwashing stations | One handwashing station for every 15 trader plus provision for one handwashing station for every 25 customers. Handwashing stations outside each toilet. Every handwashing station should have soap and/or hand sanitiser available and this should be regularly checked (at least daily) and re-stocked |
| Solid waste disposal | Separated organic and non-organic waste in covered bins (minimum). One bin per 20 traders. Bins located outside market and in a secure area that is cleaned at least weekly. Organic waste collected daily |
| Drainage (grey and blue water) | All roofs with gutters linked to surface drainage; surface drains in market cleaned daily. Internal drains within markets sullage collection from trader stall linked to covered internal drainage system linked to soakaway or sewerage |