Hands‐on food safety demonstrations improve knowledge in at risk population

Abstract

Food borne diseases continue to be a public health risk affecting millions of individuals each year especially the immuno-compromised. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the most effective method to train consumers about food safety. Culturally appropriate food safety tools in English, Creole and Spanish were used to educate a convenience sample (n=379) of hard-to-reach population in South Florida. Three groups were involved in the study. Group 1 (n=263) received food safety education using lectures and videotapes. Group 2 (n=20), in addition to the lectures and videotapes received hands-on demonstrations, including correct hand washing technique. Group 3 (Control, n=96) received training unrelated to food safety. Knowledge was measured using a 17 item questionnaire in a pre-test/ post test/ 3-month follow-up test design. Most of the participants were older Hispanic females and had only a 12th grade/GED education with no previous food safety training. Means and SEM for pre-test/post test/follow up for Group 1 were 56.9±16.3, 71.3±6.9 and 64.1±16.5, respectively. Group 2 showed the greatest increase, for which the results were 62.8± 14.1, 85.6±13.8 and 75.31±16.3, respectively. For Group 3, the results were 58.1±15.3, 58.6± 15.9 and 61.6±17.1. Food safety knowledge was not significantly different between groups at pre-test. However at post test, all 3 groups differed significantly (p<0.001). Based on these findings, training for hard-to-reach populations should include hands-on demonstrations.