Foodborne contamination is a major driver of enteropathogen infections globally. From our previous work in Maputo, we know that the chickens sold in open-air markets—either live or slaughtered—often contain very high levels of enteric pathogens such as Campylobacter and Salmonella. With funding from RGHI for the ChEEP ChEEP* Study, a multi-disciplinary team of researchers is working with the local municipality, market managers, and a design firm to develop, implement and test the effectiveness of improved market infrastructure. 

The ChEEP ChEEP study includes investigators from Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Emory University, and the University of Washington. The study team has conducted formative research with the chicken vendors, market management, and consumers to understand what improvements would improve the cleanliness of chicken storage, hygienic slaughter and disposal of solid and liquid waste, but at the same time would improve consumer confidence and sales.  

We have engaged a local architect to develop plans for improvements to one of the main chicken market areas. Working together, the research team and architect are engaging market vendors, the municipality, and other market stakeholders to review and suggest improvements to the plans to improve hygienic processes. In July-August 2025, we will collect baseline data, and once these new market improvements are built, we’ll be carefully evaluating their impact.  

We’ll be looking at several key areas: 

• Pathogen reduction: Are the new facilities actually reducing the levels of harmful bacteria in the chickens? 

• Consumer satisfaction: Do consumers feel more confident buying chicken from these improved markets? 

• Vendor satisfaction: Do the vendors have a better work experience and improved occupational health with the new facilities? 

• Vendor hygiene behaviours: Are vendors adopting more hygienic practices as a result of the changes? 

The project runs through December 2026. 

*Chicken Exposures and Enteric Pathogens in Children Exposed through Environmental Pathways