The Effect of Guild Training Courses on the Health Knowledge and Performance of Operators of Food Preparation and Distribution Centers in Zarand in 2021

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of guild training courses on the health knowledge and performance of food operators in food preparation and distribution centers in Zarand, Kerman, Iran in 2021. This quasi-experimental (uncontrolled) study was conducted on 120 food operators in food preparation and distribution centers in Zarand. The data were collected using the Health Knowledge and Performance Questionnaire. The questionnaire was completed at the time of enrollment and in the final evaluation phase. The food operators’ performance was evaluated two weeks before and one month after the completion of the training course in the food operators’ workplace through questions and checklists. The knowledge and performance scores for the participants ranged from 0 to 100. The collected data were analyzed with SPSS-23 software using paired and independent samples t tests, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Pearson correlation test. The participants’ mean age was 36.73 ± 8.92 years. The mean scores of health knowledge were 65.70 ± 21.60 and 89.62 ± 12.12 before and after the training course, respectively, showing a statistically significant increase in the post-training phase (P < 0.001). Moreover, the mean scores of health performance were 78.70 ± 7.50 and 82.42 ± 6.65 before and after the training course, respectively, indicating a statistically significant increase in the participants’ health performance in the post-training phase (P < 0.001). The findings revealed that guild training courses are effective in improving the health knowledge and performance of food operators in food preparation and distribution centers. Thus, the potential of guild training courses can be used to raise food operators’ and workers’ awareness of health-related problems and provide effective solutions.