Safety Knowledge Research Articles

Knowledge, attitude and practice of food hygiene and safety among food vendors in a rural tertiary health facility in south South Nigeria

Background: Food hygiene and safety is a public health concern that requires the practices to prevent microbial and other contaminants of food from production to consumption. Study design: A descriptive cross-sectional study. Methods: One hundred (100) food handlers/vendors from ten food premises within the teaching hospital environment were interviewed using a semi-structured validated questionnaire. All food handlers/vendors who consented to participate in the study were interviewed (total population). Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 23. Statistical significance was set at 95% confidence level with p<0.05. Results were presented in tables and charts. Results: One hundred (100) participants were interviewed and of this, 44% were cooks and 67% had good knowledge of food hygiene and safety. Majority (70%) had positive attitude towards food hygiene and safety and about half (53%) had good practice of food hygiene and safety. Majority of those who had work experience of 26 years and above (77.8%) had good practice and positive attitude (88.9%) towards food hygiene and safety. More with no formal education (62.5%) had good practice of food hygiene and safety but this association was found not to be statistically significant. Conclusion: Two third of the respondents had good knowledge of food hygiene and safety with majority of them having positive attitude. This positive attitude and good knowledge of the respondents did not quite translate to good practice as only about half of them had good practice of food hygiene and safety.

Systematic Literature Review on Knowledge-Driven Approaches for Construction Safety Analysis and Accident Prevention

Due to its inherent complexities in the process and the dynamic interactions with external environmental factors, the construction industry is widely considered one of the most hazardous industries worldwide. With advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), construction safety management practices have increasingly used knowledge-driven approaches. Such incorporation of knowledge-based methods has led to significant improvements in various elements of construction safety management systems, including hazard identification and risk assessment, selection of risk mitigation strategies, analysis of accident information, sharing of health and safety knowledge, access to regulations, and identification of applicable safety requirements. Against this background, this paper presents a systematic literature review to provide an overview of the current state of the art in the use of knowledge-driven approaches in construction safety management. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) procedure, this study reviews how the knowledge-driven approach is utilized in the construction safety management field to automate different activities that come under it. Journal papers published from 2000 were considered for this review, and the analysis focused on the contributions of research, the evolution of knowledge-driven approaches, sources of incorporated knowledge, methods of system development, yearly publications, and publication by journals. The results provide a comparison of related studies over two decades and offer insights into trends and gaps in this research field. Notably, the trend analysis shows a dramatic increase in the number, as well as the depth, of research efforts utilizing AI techniques for analyzing unstructured data, such as construction images and texts from construction documents, and drawing data-based decisions for accident prevention.

Food Safety and Food Hygiene Knowledge of Hungarian University Students

(1) Background: Foodborne diseases continue to affect millions of people around the world today, posing a huge challenge to public health. Our aim was to focus on the food safety knowledge and food hygiene knowledge of students at the University of Pécs, Hungary. (2) Methods: A quantitative, online, cross-sectional study was conducted between 15 February 2024 and 10 May 2024. Non-probability, convenience sampling was used. The target group consisted of first- and second-year BSc level degree students of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Pécs (N = 214). The questions of the self-designed questionnaire include sociodemographic data, questions focusing on food safety knowledge, and questions to assess food hygiene knowledge. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive and mathematical statistical analysis (p < 0.05). (3) Results: Participants were aware of foods that pose a food safety risk and were familiar with both the pathogens in food and the groups at risk of food contamination. In terms of knowledge, a higher proportion of second-year students answered correctly (p = 0.021; r = 0.657). A significant relationship was found between hygiene habits and age (p = 0.035) and place of residence, with most of the students living in dormitories not paying attention to food hygiene (r = 0.094; p = 0.046). (4) Conclusions: The level of knowledge of the students was not always satisfactory, so further research and education on this topic is essential to promote safe food consumption.

Phenolic Ecotoxins in River Water: Survey on Knowledge and Practices of Road-Side Food Vendors Operating Along River Chania Bank Fringes in Thika Sub- County, Kenya

Purpose: Phenolic ecotoxins consumed in raw surface water from river sources has been implicated in causing diseases of high burden such as cancers, in Kenya. This study was conducted in Thika Sub County, and data collected from roadside food vendors and food hawkers who operate small scale street food business along the fringes and banks of River Chania. The study’s objective was to establish the knowledge on Phenolic ecotoxins present in river water and practices of the study respondents. Methodology: A crossectional descriptive study design was used, in which combined interviews and questionnaire enquiries conducted from, n=341, small-scale road side food vendors and hawkers was analyzed. Findings: Data reveals that none of the respondents had knowledge on Phenolic ecotoxin contaminants and additionally a strongly associated correlation (P<0.001, χ222.6 and df 1), further augments the disclosure that, poor knowledge of raw river water safety and hygiene does result to body harm and ill health. Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: There is increased need and effort to scale up the sensitization and awareness on exposure to harmful ecotoxin contaminants from the use of raw river water. Water decontamination mobile units should be considered and introduced especially in urban areas of high population density, transversed by rivers.

A web-based safety management platform to enhance safety for Chinese migrant construction workers

Over the past decade, existing research has investigated various solutions to enhance safety management on construction sites. Among the many solutions, developing a web-based safety platform has increasingly become a key element in safety improvement strategies. International research shows that safety management platforms improve migrant workers’ safety, but evidence for such interventions in New Zealand, especially for Chinese migrant construction workers, remains limited. This study built a web prototype catering to Chinese migrant construction workers in New Zealand. The data collection method was semi-structured interviews, and the effectiveness of the novel web prototype was validated based on respondents’ feedback. Results show that this safety web prototype can effectively improve the safety knowledge and safety awareness of Chinese migrant construction workers by providing local safety policies and conducting multi-frequency long-term safety training tests. The incentive function in this web prototype can motivate Chinese migrant construction workers to use this application and enhance their safety compliance. The limitations of this research include geographical restrictions and a small sample size to evaluate the effectiveness of the prototype. Future research should incorporate a larger, cross-sectional sample to assess the effectiveness of web-based safety awareness solutions, enabling more generalizable conclusions for construction workers of diverse nationalities and regions.

Safety Landscape of Therapeutic Nanozymes and Future Research Directions.

Oxidative stress and inflammation are at the root of a multitude of diseases. Treatment of these conditions is often necessary but current standard therapies to fight excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammation are often ineffective or complicated by substantial safety concerns. Nanozymes are emerging nanomaterials with intrinsic enzyme-like properties that hold great promise for effective cancer treatment, bacterial elimination, and anti-inflammatory/anti-oxidant therapy. While there is rapid progress in tailoring their catalytic activities as evidenced by the recent integration of single-atom catalysts (SACs) to create next-generation nanozymes with superior activity, selectivity, and stability, a better understanding and tuning of their safety profile is imperative for successful clinical translation. This review outlines the current applied safety assessment approaches and provides a comprehensive summary of the safety knowledge of therapeutic nanozymes. Overall, nanozymes so far show good in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility despite considerable differences in their composition and enzymatic activities. However, current safety investigations mostly cover a limited set of basic toxicological endpoints, which do not allow for a thorough and deep assessment. Ultimately, remaining research gaps that should be carefully addressed in future studies are highlighted, to optimize the safety profile of therapeutic nanozymes early in their pre-clinical development.

Development of a Knowledge Base for Construction Risk Assessments Using BERT and Graph Models

As a significant percentage of disasters and fatal accidents still occur in the construction sector, it is legally obligatory to conduct workplace risk assessments to avoid accidents and enhance safety. Identifying harmful and hazardous elements is crucial to discern the distinctive characteristics of potential accidents. However, conventional risk-assessment approaches, which rely on the skills and experience of safety managers, may overlook important factors, leading to inconsistencies in the procedures employed across different sites. Such unstructured safety knowledge reduces accessibility and utility, increases reliance on individual skills, and renders information management inefficient. Recently, the focus has shifted from efficient data storage to obtaining valuable knowledge tailored to specific use-cases. Knowledge-graph-based systems integrate and manage the relationships between knowledge entities, thereby enhancing the development of knowledge bases. Research on automatically extracting and managing predefined knowledge from various forms of data through natural language processing (NLP) is ongoing. This study proposes a novel method that uses NLP and graph models to automatically extract predefined knowledge from unstructured construction data and build an entity-relationship-based risk-assessment knowledge base. We developed an entity-name recognition and keyword-extraction engine that defines the core knowledge related to construction safety and risk assessments. This engine can automatically extract predefined knowledge from unstructured data by learning from NLP data. The extracted risk-assessment knowledsge was used to create a knowledge base, and its efficiency and effectiveness were validated through comparisons with existing methods. The results of this study are significant because they lay the foundation for an automatic knowledge-management system for construction safety and risk assessment, offering both practical and academic contributions to the field of construction safety.

‘I am a Scaffolder’: Constructing Safety Knowledge and Machismo in ‘Dirty Work’

This article investigates how Hong Kong scaffolders navigate and make sense of everyday dangerous work which is stigmatized in a highly aspirational society. With the theoretical lens of ‘dirty work’, we examine what attracts the scaffolders into the occupation, how they perceive and navigate risk, and how they construct the knowledge that enables them to function safely as skilled craftsmen. We found that the sector attracts young men from disadvantaged backgrounds and with links to the criminal underworld, who respond to social stigma by constructing an identity of intrepid performers and enacting unsafe high-risk activities and brinkmanship. Yet, their traditional knowledge and practices now face obsolescence due to pressure to standardize safety training and practice, and also due to an internal crisis of occupational legitimacy. This article contributes to our understanding of the analytical lens of ‘dirty work’ in macho cultures.

Empowering consumers to purchase safe ready-to-eat chicken from street restaurants in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso: impact of a multi-media behavior change campaign

Foodborne disease resulting from food sold at urban informal markets is a major public health challenge in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study assessed the impact of an innovative nine-months multi-media campaign engaging a key influencer, aimed at empowering consumers to choose safer ready-to-eat chicken meat at informal street restaurants in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. A two-wave panel study assessed associations between recall of TV, radio, billboard, and social media advertisements, and self-reported behavior regarding purchasing and consumption of ready-to-eat chicken at outlets, consumer intentions, knowledge, attitudes, norms, and agency. A panel of randomly selected adult consumers (n = 852) were interviewed pre- and post-campaign, 12 months apart. 60% recalled at least one of the campaign channels when prompted. Mixed-effects models showed associations between prompted recall and feeling better informed about food safety (aOR 1.449) and increased knowledge (0.132 unit increase on total score). Social media recall was associated with higher perceived access to information (aOR 1.449) and knowledge. Billboard recall increased odds of higher perceived health benefits of paying attention to food safety behaviors when purchasing chicken (aOR 2.046). TV ad recall was associated with a 0.159 unit decrease in the gap between consumers’ intentions and behavior. An engaging consumer food safety multimedia campaign that engages key influencers improved food safety awareness and knowledge, ultimately supporting consumers to choose safer chicken at markets.

Effectiveness of Educational Interventions to Develop Patient Safety Competencies in Undergraduate Nursing Students: A Systematic Review.

Nursing professionals are key to providing safe care that improves patient outcomes. Hence, it is essential to focus on developing nurses' patient safety competencies and principles. This review examined the effectiveness of educational interventions in developing patient safety knowledge, skills, behaviors, and attitudes in undergraduate nursing students. The search strategy aimed to identify published and unpublished studies in databases and grey literature. Studies were assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools. A total of 36 studies met the inclusion criteria. The teaching methods employed single or combined interventions and the educational interventions suggested either improvements in outcomes or no impact. The effectiveness of educational interventions to develop patient safety competencies in undergraduate nursing students, either as a single or combined strategy, was mixed. Further research is needed to provide more robust evidence on which teaching method for patient safety is most effective.

Evaluation of a distribution, education and awareness intervention for child passenger safety in Lebanon: a low-income and middle-income country setting

BackgroundThe Eastern Mediterranean Region suffers disproportionately from paediatric traffic-related injuries. Despite governmental laws, Lebanon—an eastern Mediterranean country—has low child restraint (CR) use prevalence. This study examined the impact of using...

Continuing Safety Education and Workplace Efficacy of Student Workers

This study aims to evaluate students' awareness of safety education and its impact on work effectiveness. By analyzing background variables such as students' gender, age, grade, work experience, student status, and college affiliation, this study explored the relationship between safety education and work effectiveness. The results showed that students' awareness of safety education directly affects their task execution and situational performance on campus and in the workplace. In addition, the study showed that strengthening the popularization and effective cooperation of safety education on campus can help improve students' work effectiveness and campus safety management. This study recommends further improving the quality of safety education by strengthening training, promoting safety knowledge, and improving safety facilities, and strengthening the cultivation of safety awareness during students' internships and employment.

Factors associated with caregivers’ food safety knowledge, behavior, perception of food safety control, and the nutrition status of under-5 children in Nigeria

BackgroundHousehold-level food safety practices may have a long-term outcome on the nutrition and health status of under-five children. This study explores the relationships between caregivers’ self-reported food safety knowledge, behavior, perception of food safety control, and their young child’s (< 5 years) nutrition status.MethodsIn a cross-sectional study design, 664 caregivers from five Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Ibadan, Nigeria were surveyed using an interviewer-administered questionnaire on their food safety knowledge, behavior and perceived food safety control. Anthropometric measurements of the household’s index child (aged 6–59 months) were also taken. Variables for food safety knowledge and behavior score were selected using principal component analyses. The nutritional status of the children (Z-scores for weight-for-height (WAZ), height-for-age (HAZ), and weight-for-age (WHZ)) were calculated. Description statistics were run on all variables and logistic regression models examined associations between the three food safety constructs and the children’s nutritional status. Covariates such as LGAs, caregiver’s age, household size, wealth index, child’s gender, and age were adjusted.ResultsHigh-level of food safety knowledge, behavior and lots of perceived control on food safety issues were reported by 77.7%, 76.7%, and 81.1% of the caregivers. Using WAZ, HAZ and WHZ that are ≤ -2, acute malnutrition (6.0%), chronic malnutrition (42.5%), and underweight (22.0%), respectively were prevalent among the children. Perceived food safety control was the only food safety construct associated with acute malnutrition. Wealth index, caregivers’ age, number of under 5 at home, child age, and gender were associated with acute malnutrition. Caregiver’s age, child’s age, and gender were associated with chronic malnutrition. Furthermore, caregiver’s age, education and child’s age were associated with a child being underweight. The significance level was at P < 0.05.ConclusionFactors associated with food safety and children’s nutritional outcomes are multi-faceted in nature. Future studies should explore access to resources and other intermediate factors that may explain the linkage between childhood malnutrition and caregivers’ food safety awareness, knowledge, and behavior. Public health and food safety initiatives to bridge the gap between perceived food safety control and actual food safety behavior/practices.

Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy: a cross-sectional study of community pharmacists in the UK.

To assess the content and frequency of advice community pharmacists (CPs) provide to pregnant women with nausea and vomiting, their confidence in providing advice, and their knowledge of the safety of medication used to manage the condition. An online questionnaire of closed- and open-ended questions was distributed to CPs in the UK in May 2023. Closed-ended questions were analysed quantitatively, and conventional content analysis was utilised for open-ended responses. One hundred and eighty-one respondents completed the questionnaire, 24 responses were excluded, leaving data from 157 available for analysis. The majority (90.4%) of participants reported having experience in providing advice on nausea and vomiting with varying levels of confidence. Advice provided included using over-the-counter products, lifestyle modifications, reassurance, medication advice, and referring to other healthcare professionals. Knowledge of first-line antiemetics considered safe in pregnancy varied; cyclizine was correctly identified as safe during pregnancy by 57.3%, followed by 37.6% for promethazine and 31.2% for prochlorperazine. Self-reported confidence and having experience providing advice were related to higher medication safety identification rates. Five percent of participants reported previous training on the condition, while 70% reported wanting further education, preferably delivered via an online medium. This study showed that although 90% of CPs provide advice on nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, their medication safety knowledge varied. The majority of CPs reported wanting further education that would ensure women could access reliable information and evidence-based advice to optimise management of the condition.

Knowledge, attitude, and food safety practices among university students in Kilimanjaro region, northern Tanzania

Food safety is a public health concern worldwide due to an increased morbidity and mortality risk associated with the outbreak of food-borne diseases. This study aimed to assess knowledge, attitude, and food safety practices (KAP) among university students in northern Tanzania. This is interesting because it allows data to be collected for creating awareness on safety, sanitation, and quality of food available within and outside the university environments.We conducted a cross-sectional study among 407 university students in Kilimanjaro region and all authors participated equally. Participants completed an online, self-administered questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25 and summarized using descriptive statistics. The Chi-squared test compared the proportion of KAP by participant characteristics and the multiple logistic regression model used to determine the associated factors. Participants had a mean age (standard deviation) of 23.2 (2.6) years, 51.4% were males, and 83% were < 25 years. The overall proportion of good knowledge, attitude, and food safety practices were 82.6, 78.4, and 31.9%, respectively. Higher odds of knowledge and attitude on food safety were students from KCMUCo (OR = 2.36; 95% CI 1.33–4.17) and (OR = 4.80; 95% CI 2.67–8.63). Also higher odds of food safety practice were students with good knowledge (OR = 1.80; 95% CI 1.03–3.13).Good food safety knowledge but not attitudes was associated with good food safety practices. This shows the need to introduce practical food safety within college environments to help students improve food hygiene and safety practices.

Post-fire performance of hybrid GFRP-steel reinforced concrete columns

The fire safety requirements and knowledge on the use of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) bars as an alternative to conventional steel in reinforced concrete structures have been progressively evolving. This study investigates the post-fire axial performance of square GFRP reinforced concrete (RC) columns, addressing a significant gap in current knowledge. Five column specimens of the same cross-section and length were tested, where the main parameters considered are the clear cover depths (40, 50, and 65 mm) and the use of a 40-mm insulation on one column. The columns were subjected to a long 3-hour fire exposure per ASTM E119 standard without sustained loading. The columns were tested upon cooling under concentric axial loading. Despite the notable temperature differences between columns with 40 and 65 mm concrete cover (300 and 500 °C after 3 hours), the post-fire residual axial capacity appeared unaffected. This is primarily attributed to the minimal differences in the retained mechanical properties of GFRP bars at temperatures exceeding 200 °C. The study's findings indicate that GFRP longitudinal bars do not significantly influence the performance of columns in fires. Consequently, future research should focus on columns reinforced with GFRP ties as well. The predicted values of post-fire axial capacity closely match the experimental data for non-insulated columns, indicating a high degree of accuracy. The study provides design recommendations to enhance the fire performance of such elements. The use of insulation results in a substantial reduction of temperature at various depths of the column. Post-fire residual capacities for non-insulated columns were approximately 30 %, whereas insulated columns demonstrated a 60 % residual capacity.

Constructing a Coal Mine Safety Knowledge Graph to Promote the Association and Reuse of Risk Management Empirical Knowledge

Coal mining production processes are complex and prone to frequent accidents. With the continuous improvement of safety management systems in China’s coal mining industry, a vast amount of coal mine safety experience knowledge (CMSEK) has been accumulated, originating from on site operations. This knowledge has been recorded and stored in paper or electronic documents but it remains unconnected, and the increasing volume of documents further complicates the reuse and sharing of this knowledge. In the era of large models and digitalization, this knowledge has yet to be fully developed and utilized. To address these issues, a risk management checklist was derived from coal mining site data. By integrating intelligent algorithm models and the coal industry knowledge engineering design, a coal mine safety experience knowledge graph (CMSEKG) was developed to enhance the efficiency of utilizing coal mine safety experience knowledge. Specifically, we creatively developed a coal mine safety experience knowledge representation framework, capable of representing coal mine risk inspection records from different sources and of various types. Furthermore, we proposed a deep learning-based coal mine safety entity recognition model (CMSNER), which can effectively extract coal mine safety experience knowledge from text. Finally, the CMSEKG was stored using the Neo4j graph database, and a knowledge graph was constructed using selected case information as examples. The CMSEKG effectively integrates fragmented safety management experience and professional knowledge, promoting knowledge services and intelligent applications in coal mining operations, thereby providing knowledge support for the prevention and management of coal mine risks.

Comparison of the effects of medication error encouragement training and problem-based scenario on the medication safety competence and knowledge of nursing students: A quasi-experimental study

BackgroundMedication errors among nursing students pose a threat to medication safety. Medication Error Encouragement Training and Problem Based Scenario are two innovative educational methods used in medication education. AimCompare the effects of Medication Error Encouragement Training and Problem Based Scenario on the knowledge and competency of medication safety among nursing students. DesignQuasi -experimental, double-blind, two-group pretest-posttest study. MethodThis study was conducted in 2023. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: one group received the Medication Error Encouragement Training method, while the other group was taught using the Problem-Based Scenario method. Data collection was performed using the Medication Safety Critical Element Checklist and Medication Safety Knowledge Assessment before and four weeks after the intervention. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 16. ResultsThe Pair t-test demonstrated that the change in competency and knowledge scores of medication safety before and after the intervention was significant in both groups (P< 0.05). The results of the Mancova test indicated a significant increase in medication safety competency scores in the Medication Error Encouragement Training group compared with the Problem Based Scenario group after the intervention (P< 0.05), while there was no significant difference in medication safety knowledge scores between the two groups after the intervention (P> 0.05). ConclusionThe Medication Error Encouragement and Problem Based Scenario methods were effective in increasing the knowledge and competency of medication safety among students, but the effectiveness of the Medication Error Encouragement method was more pronounced in achieving safe medication administration.

Knowledge and practice about food safety of village medical staffs at Khanh Hoa province in 2023

The objectives of this study is to describe the knowledge, practice and analyze factors affected with food safety of village medical staffs at Khanh Hoa province in 2023. A crosssectional descriptive study which was conducted on 401 village medical staffs at Khanh Hoa province in 2023. The percentage of village medical staffs with good knowledge and practice of food safety is 46.4% and 36.7%, respectively. Knowledge and practice of food safety was associated significantly with being female and has been trained about food safety before (p&amp;lt;0.05). The current state of knowledge and practice of food safety among village health workers is still limited. Therefore, it is necessary to recommend plans and programs in improving knowledge among village medical staffs about food safety.

Advancing food safety standards through technology integration and policy development

Food safety is a critical global concern, directly impacting public health, economic stability, and international trade. With the complexity of modern food supply chains and the rising incidence of foodborne illnesses, traditional food safety measures are often insufficient to address the growing risks. This review explores how integrating advanced technologies and developing robust policies can significantly enhance food safety standards. Technological innovations, including the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), and automation, offer promising solutions for real-time monitoring, traceability, and predictive analytics in food production and distribution. IoT and sensors enable constant monitoring of environmental conditions like temperature and humidity, while blockchain ensures transparency and traceability across supply chains. AI and machine learning are transforming food safety by predicting contamination risks and optimizing inspection processes, while robotics and automation reduce human error in food processing plants. Alongside technological advancements, policy development plays a crucial role in reinforcing food safety standards. Global harmonization of food safety regulations, stronger enforcement mechanisms, and public-private partnerships are essential for ensuring widespread compliance. Incorporating technology into regulatory frameworks is key to addressing new challenges and maintaining food safety across borders. Governments must also prioritize consumer education and awareness through policies that leverage technology platforms to promote food safety knowledge. Case studies demonstrate the successful application of these technologies in sectors like dairy and meat processing, showcasing the potential for broader industry adoption. However, challenges such as high implementation costs, regulatory lag, and data security concerns remain. This review argues that a synergistic approach combining technological integration with forward-thinking policy development is essential for advancing global food safety standards and safeguarding public health in the future.