Food safety knowledge, attitude, and practice among elementary schoolchildren in southern Taiwan

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Regarding Taeniasis in Pakistan

Taeniasis is a neglected zoonotic disease responsible for serious health disorders, such as seizures, and may even cause death. Humans are the definitive host for the three species Taenia solium (pork tapeworm), T. saginata (beef tapeworm), and T. asiatica, harboring the adult tapeworm in the small intestine. In this study, a structured questionnaire was circulated to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) regarding taeniasis among the rural and urban communities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan. A total of 770 individuals participated in the study. Of the total respondents, 44.4% had little knowledge about the disease and its impact, while the majority (70%) of respondents showed a willingness to participate in elimination campaigns by providing fecal samples. Most respondents kept raw meat separated from clean utensils (81.6%) and checked the internal temperature of meat when cooking it (75.1%). Regression analysis showed a significant association between age and knowledge, especially in the 20-30 years (p < 0.05; OR 0.574) and 30 to 40 years (p < 0.05; OR 0.553) age groups, and being a resident in Rawalpindi (p < 0.05; OR 0.68) and other cities (p < 0.05; OR 2.43), except Islamabad. Income ranges of 31,000-50,000 PKR (p < 0.05; OR: 0.574), 51,000-70,000 PKR (p < 0.05; OR 0.531), and above 70,000 PKR (p < 0.05; OR 0.42) were significantly related to attitude, compared with individuals with incomes of 10,000-30,000 PKR. Income above 70,000 PKR (p < 0.05; OR 0.87) and living in an urban area (p < 0.05; OR 0.616) compared to a rural area were significant with practices. A positive attitude was observed regarding awareness and prevention of the disease. Awareness campaigns and providing health education could be key approaches to manage this disease in the general population of developing countries.

Migrant Food Handlers’ Impacts on Food Quality and Safety in Malaysia Food Service Industry

This study aims to empirically examine the migrant food handlers’ perceived knowledge, skills, and attitudes and their impact on food quality and safety in the context of Malaysia’s foodservice industry. Using the data gathered from 198 supervisors and managers from food premises in Malaysia and analysis using SPSS (version 20) and SmartPLS 3.0 software, this research found that migrant food handlers have moderate perceived knowledge, skills and attitudes in food handling practices impact the food quality and safety. Specifically, this study confirmed that knowledge and attitudes positively and significantly affect food quality and food safety. However, insignificant results were found between skills and food safety, even though it showed a substantial impact on food quality. The findings are original and unique. It is one of the first studies to investigate the knowledge, skills, and attitude of migrant food handlers their effect on food quality and food safety, especially in Malaysia. Besides, this study extends the established theories from the literature on knowledge, skills and attitudes analysing in the foodservice sector. Therefore, this research finding is valuable for food services practitioners to focus on enhancing food quality and safety through the migrant workforce.

Design and Development of an Instrument on Knowledge of Food Safety, Practices, and Risk Perception Addressed to Children and Adolescents from Low-Income Families

In the fight against foodborne diseases, expanding access to information for different groups is needed. In this aspect, it is crucial to evaluate the target audience’s particularities. This study constructed and validated an instrument containing three questionnaires to identify the level of knowledge, practices, and risk perception of food safety by low-income students between 11 and 14 years old. The following steps were used: systematic search of the databases; conducting and analyzing focus groups; questionnaires development; and questionnaires analysis. After two judges’ rounds, the final version was reached with 11 knowledge items, 11 practice items, and five risk perception items. The content validation index values were higher than 0.80. The adopted methodology considered the students’ understanding and perceptions, as well the appropriate language to be used. Besides, it allowed the development of questionnaires that directly and straightforwardly covers the rules set by the World Health Organization for foodborne disease control called Five Keys to Safer Food (keep clean; separate raw and cooked; cook thoroughly; keep food at safe temperatures; and use safe water and raw materials). Its use can result in a diagnosis for elaborating educational proposals and other actions against foodborne illness in the most vulnerable population.