Food safety knowledge, perceptions, and behaviors among middle school students.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the level of food safety knowledge, perceptions, and self-reported food-handling behaviors among middle school students.


METHODS
Baseline questionnaire administered in class that assessed background characteristics, knowledge, behaviors, and perceptions related to food safety.


METHODS
178 seventh and eighth grade students from 4 schools in central Pennsylvania.


METHODS
Food safety knowledge, perceptions, and self-reported food-handling behaviors.


METHODS
Independent samples t test tested differences between genders and bivariate correlation analysis explored associations among knowledge, perceptions, and behavior (P <.05).


RESULTS
Food safety knowledge score was 7.2 +/- 1.6 of a maximum of 10 points. Perceived self-efficacy and severity of a foodborne illness were high, but perceived susceptibility was low. Girls scored higher on the self-efficacy and severity scale (P <.01). Self-efficacy correlated positively with knowledge and behavior (P <.0001) and severity with knowledge (P <.01). One fifth reported taking risks in food handling and one fifth reported having been sick because of something they ate.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a disconnection between middle school students' food safety knowledge, perceptions, and behaviors. A need for relevant and motivating food safety education exists in this group.
Haapala
Irja
I
Department of Public Health and General Practice, University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland. irja.haapala@uku.fi
Probart
Claudia
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005511:Food Handling / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010414:Pennsylvania; D012449:Safety; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012737:Sex Factors; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires