title: Knowledge, attitude, and practices concerning presence of molds in foods among members of the general public in Malawi.
abstract: This study assessed knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of the public in Malawi on issues related to molds in foodstuffs. A survey involving structured questionnaire was conducted with 805 respondents from seven districts of Malawi. Descriptive statistics, t tests, and analyses of variance were calculated. A majority of respondents recognized that molds were dangerous to human health (88%); however, about 50% of respondents were not informed that mold toxins are thermally stable and that they are not destroyable by normal cooking processes. About 33% of the respondents asserted that they buy moldy maize, while approximately 20% of respondents reported that they consume moldy fruits having discarded moldy fraction. There were significant differences in knowledge scores among different demographic groups. Females had significantly (p < 0.05) lower knowledge scores on issues related to molds in foods. Additionally, the respondent's location had a significant effect. However, respondent's education had subtle effect on knowledge score and the overall population's knowledge score was generally low (3.55 ± 1.32 score out of 9). Results of the study underline the need to raise public's knowledge about health risks associated with spoilage molds in food and prevention and management options.
authors.affiliation: Food Technology and Nutrition Group, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (NRC campus), P.O Box 143, Lilongwe, Malawi. alimbikani@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Limbikani
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Matumba
authors.affiliation: Chancellor College, Department of Chemistry, University of Malawi, P.O. Box 280, Zomba, Malawi.
authors.forename: Maurice
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Monjerezi
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Development Studies, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Bunda Campus), P.O Box 219, Lilongwe, Malawi.
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kankwamba
authors.affiliation: International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), P.O. Box 1096, Lilongwe, Malawi.
authors.forename: Samuel M C
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Njoroge
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research (NISIR), International Airport Road, P.O 310158, Lusaka, Zambia.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ndilowe
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research (NISIR), International Airport Road, P.O 310158, Lusaka, Zambia.
authors.forename: Hilda
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kabuli
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Development Studies, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Bunda Campus), P.O Box 219, Lilongwe, Malawi.
authors.forename: Daimon
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kambewa
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research (NISIR), International Airport Road, P.O 310158, Lusaka, Zambia.
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Njapau
mesh_terms: D004493:Education; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005506:Food Contamination; D005658:Fungi / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005843:Geography; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008295:Malawi; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Attitude; Food; Knowledge; Malawi; Mold; Practice