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Conway A, Ehuwa O, Manning M, Maye A, Moran F, Jaiswal AK, Jaiswal S. Evaluation of irish consumers' knowledge of salmonellosis and food-handling practices. J Verbrauch Lebensm 2022; 18:43-55. [PMID: 36349285 PMCID: PMC9632589 DOI: 10.1007/s00003-022-01405-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Salmonella is one of numerous food-borne pathogens that could possibly pose a major threat to global food safety. Salmonella is primarily associated with foods such as poultry, eggs, vegetables, and some dairy products. However, infected food handlers and faecal contaminated environments are also significant sources and reservoirs of this pathogen. This study comprehensively evaluated the Irish consumers' food safety knowledge by exploring their knowledge level, practices and attitudes regarding raw meat handling, cross-contamination while handling different types of food products, and knowledge of Salmonella risk and associated food-handling practices. The online SurveyMonkey tool was used to distribute a quantitative survey titled "Evaluation of Knowledge and Food-handling practices of Irish Consumers" from July to November 2020 and generated a total of 1916 responses. Results indicated that 79.9% of the studied Irish population had a good knowledge of salmonellosis and risk perception related to food handling practices. Knowledge of cross-contamination, hygienic practices and pathogens associated with poultry were also considered high. However, knowledge of meat handling was low at 44.9%. It was also observed that age, gender, marital status, gross annual income, and nationality were influential factors regarding the food safety knowledge of consumers, while age, marital status and gender indicated significant differences regarding awareness of correct food hygiene practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Conway
- grid.497880.aSchool of Food Science and Environmental Health, Faculty of Science, Technological University Dublin - City Campus, Central Quad, D07 ADY7 Grangegorman, Dublin, Ireland
- grid.497880.aEnvironmental Sustainability and Health Institute, Technological University Dublin - City Campus, D07 H6K8 Grangegorman, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Olugbenga Ehuwa
- grid.497880.aSchool of Food Science and Environmental Health, Faculty of Science, Technological University Dublin - City Campus, Central Quad, D07 ADY7 Grangegorman, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Meabh Manning
- grid.497880.aSchool of Food Science and Environmental Health, Faculty of Science, Technological University Dublin - City Campus, Central Quad, D07 ADY7 Grangegorman, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Aine Maye
- grid.497880.aSchool of Food Science and Environmental Health, Faculty of Science, Technological University Dublin - City Campus, Central Quad, D07 ADY7 Grangegorman, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Fintan Moran
- grid.497880.aSchool of Food Science and Environmental Health, Faculty of Science, Technological University Dublin - City Campus, Central Quad, D07 ADY7 Grangegorman, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Amit K. Jaiswal
- grid.497880.aSchool of Food Science and Environmental Health, Faculty of Science, Technological University Dublin - City Campus, Central Quad, D07 ADY7 Grangegorman, Dublin, Ireland
- grid.497880.aEnvironmental Sustainability and Health Institute, Technological University Dublin - City Campus, D07 H6K8 Grangegorman, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Swarna Jaiswal
- grid.497880.aSchool of Food Science and Environmental Health, Faculty of Science, Technological University Dublin - City Campus, Central Quad, D07 ADY7 Grangegorman, Dublin, Ireland
- grid.497880.aEnvironmental Sustainability and Health Institute, Technological University Dublin - City Campus, D07 H6K8 Grangegorman, Dublin, Ireland
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Hussien AA, Abdellattif AH, Abumunshar AA, Samara A, Sharif L, Alkaiyat A, Koni AA, Zyoud SH. Food Safety Concerns and Practices Among Palestinian University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study. SAGE OPEN 2022. [DOI: 10.1177/21582440221119490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
University students constitute a target for risk-reduction interventions regarding food poisoning as they are among those with higher exposure to problematic food. This is particularly important since young adults’ knowledge regarding measures to prevent foodborne illnesses was found to be inadequate. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding food safety and food poisoning among An-Najah National University Students and to investigate the correlation of their knowledge, attitudes, and practices with various socio-demographic characteristics and academic variables. The cross-sectional design was used, and the study occurred at An-Najah National University in Nablus. Data was collected using a native Arabic language face-to-face questionnaire. Verbal consent was obtained before initiation. The questionnaire has four parts that address students’ demographic data, knowledge, attitudes, and practice. A sample of 450 students was invited to complete the questionnaire. Half the respondents were aged 17 to 20, and more than half (57.1%) were females. The median knowledge score was 10.00 [8.75–12.0]. A significant correlation was found between the food poisoning knowledge and attitude scores of students ( r = .339, p < .001), a significant correlation between food poisoning knowledge and attitude scores ( r = .285, p < .001), and a significant correlation between attitude and practice scores ( r = .429, p < .001). The current study found significant correlations between knowledge, attitude, and practices of university students regarding food safety. Female respondents also had better attitudes and more hygienic food practices. The results can help students prepare effective methods to understand food poisoning better and improve their knowledge and awareness. The study also indicates that more comprehensive and focused education regarding food safety is required for this population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Labib Sharif
- Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | | | - Amer A. Koni
- An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
- An-Najah National University Hospital, Nablus, Palestine
| | - Sa’ed H. Zyoud
- An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
- An-Najah National University Hospital, Nablus, Palestine
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