Determinants of food hygiene knowledge among youths: A cross-sectional online study

Introduction: A cross sectional study was carried out among 1178 tertiary students (98.2% response rate) at a premier university based in Kuala Lumpur city. This paper specifically deals with knowledge of food hygiene and its determinants. Methods: A web-based questionnaire pertaining to knowledge, attitudes and behavior related to food hygiene was emailed to registered students. Questions on knowledge were related to personal food hygiene (11 items), causes of foodborne diseases (9 items), symptoms of foodborne disease (12 items) and food handling practice (12 items). A score of 1 was given to right answer and 0 to the wrong answer. The students was selected by stratified into three field of studies; Art, Science and Technical. Results: Mean age of students was 23 years old (sd = 3.57), female (65.9%), mostly undergraduates (73.2%), field of study (Arts 42.1%, Science 37.4%, Technical 20.5%), majority of the parents have had secondary education. Overall mean knowledge score = 69.5 +/- 6.3 (personal food hygiene 73.0; causes of foodborne diseases 71.9; symptoms of foodborne disease 62.1; food handling practices 70.7). Overall knowledge was significantly associated with gender, level and field of study and father's educational level. Significant association was found between personal food hygiene and field of study with science students being more knowledgeable. Older age and undergraduates were significantly more knowledgeable on causes of foodborne diseases. As for knowledge on symptoms of foodbome diseases, younger pre-university students and father's educational level were significantly associated. In terms of knowledge on food handling, female students and science students were more knowledgeable. Multiple regression analysis showed that gender, level of study, field of study and father's educational level were significant predictors of knowledge on food hygiene. Conclusion: These results warrant the need for further educational programme in creating greater awareness on food hygiene among Malaysian youths. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.