Unsafe food in the supply chain, stemming from various microbiological, chemical, and physical hazards, poses a serious threat to human health, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Consuming unsafe food can hinder nutrient absorption, and this impact is particularly severe for children aged 2–5. In Vietnam, food safety remains a pressing public health issue, especially in urban areas where diverse food sources and complex supply chains heighten consumers’ exposure to risk. This research project aims to support the development and validation of a food safety experience scale by first undertaking a qualitative research phase to explore key consumer insights.
In this phase, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) collaborates with the University of South Carolina, and International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), and Mekong Development Research Institute (MDRI) to carry out qualitative data collection in low- and lower-middle-income neighborhoods in Hanoi. The qualitative phase is designed to: (1) investigate household knowledge, experiences, perspectives, and concerns regarding food safety; (2) assess how subjective food safety experiences and concerns shape consumer food-choice behaviors; and (3) examine how these factors influence the selection of foods for children, particularly the decision-making processes related to safe and responsive feeding.
MDRI is responsible for executing all activities related to this qualitative research phase, including pilot testing, main data collection, transcription and translation, and preparing the final fieldwork report.
Main tasks:
- Provide input on qualitative interview guides and translation of field instruments
- Recruit and train qualified enumerators for qualitative data collection
- Obtain ethical clearance from a National Institutional Review Board (IRB)
- Organize pilot and main data collection with 30 households in Hanoi
- Support training logistics and liaise with local authorities for permissions
- Transcribe and translate interview audio recordings (Vietnamese to English)
- Ensure data uploading and management on a secure server per protocol
- Prepare and submit the final fieldwork report and cleaned transcripts
Photo source: Duong’s Restaurant
