Analysis of knowledge and attitude towards food safety among university students in Gorgan city

Food hygiene is considered as an indication of community health. For this reason, consumers need to have enough information about the safe methods of providing, storage and preparation of foods. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitude towards food safety among university students. The survey research was used to study 400 students at the four universities of Gorgan city during 2013. The universities included Gorgan Azad University, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan Medical University and Golestan University. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire which its validity and reliability were verified by face validity and Cronbach's alpha coefficient, respectively. The results showed that for the university students, families and TV programs are the main sources for gaining information about food safety. Furthermore, knowledge and attitude of students towards food safety was determined as "fairly good" and "good" respectively. Female students had more knowledge and favorable attitudes towards food safety than male students. Based on results, food safety knowledge was not related to age, place of birth and residence and the type of housing; however it is associated to the level of parent's education and occupation. Attitude towards food safety also was found to be associated with birthplace and studying degree. It was concluded that it is necessary to deliver the educational programs about food safety for the university students along with the installation of food borne disease surveillance system.