BACKGROUND
Globally there is an estimated 1.7 billion cases of diarrheal disease caused by lack of proper hand hygiene annually (13). The highest proportions of the burden of infectious diseases related the lack of proper hand hygiene occurs in the middle- and low-income countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America, In developing countries (Including Somalia) diarrhea (due to poor Hand hygiene) ranks as the second leading cause of death among children below the age of 5 years accounting for about 18 % of all the deaths. Africa and South East Asia accounts for about 78% of all the diarrhea related deaths among children below 5 years (16).

OBJECTIVE
To assess the level of the knowledge, Attitude and Practice among Food handlers regarding the hand hygiene in Galkayo District, Somalia.

METHODOLOGY
The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional study design where data was collected using semi structured questionnaires. Simple random sampling was employed to identify respondents of the study. The data analysis was done using Excel.
RESULTS

The study presented using by tables and graphs. Ethical clearance was sought from Puntland Ministry of Health, the administration of Galkayo district and respondents respectively.
Respondents in this study showed low knowledge about the hand hygiene where 75.4% of them have not enough knowledge about the hygienic methods of hand washing. Also this study shows that 59% of the respondents have negative attitude toward the hand hygiene practice.
CONCLUSION
In this study provides evidence that there are low rates of knowledge and negative attitude about the proper hand hygiene practice in Galkayo city, Somalia. Additionally the data suggests that hand washing before handling the food has significant influence on the rate of many infectious diseases in the city.

Abdulkadir Mohamed Mohamud