Knowledge and Attitude of Lorestan University of Medical Sciences Students about Food Sanitation and Safety

Food safety is critical to prevent the diseases and protects the foods from environment contaminations. The aim of this study was to determie the knowledge and attitude of Lorestan University of medical sciences students about food and safety in 2016.

This cross-sectional study was performed on 300 students studding different majors in Lorestan University of medical sciences. Samples were selected by random sampling. Data was collected through a questionnaire consisting of three sections including personal information, knowledge and attitude towards food sanitation and safety. The data was then analyzed using SPSS software.

The results showed that 58% of the students had good knowledge and 42% had average knowledge about health and food safety. The students had also good attitude towards health and food safety. There was a significant difference between student knowledge of different faculties (p<0.05). The highest level of knowledge was obtained in medical, nursing and midwifery, pharmacies, paramedics, health and dentistry students, respectively. There was no significant difference between knowledge and education level (p> 0.05). However, there was a significant difference in knowledge of the students at age level of less than 21 years and older than 25 years old, but there was no significant difference between the age group of 21 and 21 to 24 years old. Also, there was no significant difference between knowledge with sex (p> 0.05).

Awareness towards hygiene and food safety is an important issue. Although, the students in this study had a fairly good knowledge, but, the necessity of enhancing their awareness to food hygiene issues through public education and courses is recommended.