Survey on hygiene and food safety among kitchen staff in preschools in Podgorica, Montenegro
Ensuring food safety in kindergartens is crucial for protecting the health of young children. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of 113 kitchen employees across the capital of Montenegro, Podgorica. These employees prepare and serve two to four meals daily for children...
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Sciendo
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Arhiv za Higijenu Rada i Toksikologiju |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.2478/aiht-2024-75-3878 |
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| author | Milanović Maja Mugoša Boban Kolašinac Biljana Popović |
| author_facet | Milanović Maja Mugoša Boban Kolašinac Biljana Popović |
| author_sort | Milanović Maja |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Ensuring food safety in kindergartens is crucial for protecting the health of young children. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of 113 kitchen employees across the capital of Montenegro, Podgorica. These employees prepare and serve two to four meals daily for children under six. The study aimed to explore correlations between KAP and sociodemographic characteristics and compare self-reported practices with the observed ones. We hypothesized a significant association between the kitchen staff’s knowledge, attitudes, and food handling practices, emphasizing education and training for better hygiene practices. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and checklists. Respondents showed moderate knowledge (77.25±2.69 %) and positive attitudes (95.72±4.53 %), while observed practices were not as high (64.65±27.73 %). A weak positive correlation existed between knowledge and attitudes (r=0.190; p=0.04). Higher education, work experience, and frequent training were associated with better knowledge (p<0.05). Sociodemographic characteristics did not significantly influence attitudes and practices. Multivariate logistic regression indicated knowledge and attitude as predictors, with food safety attitude impacting safe handling practices. Our findings showed moderate knowledge and positive attitudes do not necessarily lead to good practices, as there was no significant correlation between knowledge and self-reported practices or between attitudes and self-reported practices. Education is crucial, as educated staff were more likely to know more about temperature control, cross-contamination prevention, and equipment hygiene. Overcoming external barriers such as infrastructure and time constraints is essential to applying knowledge fostering positive attitudes and improving hygiene practices in kindergartens. This study underscores the need for targeted interventions to ensure safe food handling practices in childcare settings, emphasizing continuous education to maintain food safety standards. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d66ce15c70eb4b4eb4ecfee2fb2f6d45 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1848-6312 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Sciendo |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Arhiv za Higijenu Rada i Toksikologiju |
| spelling | doaj-art-d66ce15c70eb4b4eb4ecfee2fb2f6d452025-08-20T02:55:40ZengSciendoArhiv za Higijenu Rada i Toksikologiju1848-63122024-12-0175430331210.2478/aiht-2024-75-3878Survey on hygiene and food safety among kitchen staff in preschools in Podgorica, MontenegroMilanović Maja0Mugoša Boban1Kolašinac Biljana Popović21Institute of Public Health of Montenegro, Centre of Control and Prevention of Communicable Diseases, Podgorica, Montenegro2Institute of Public Health of Montenegro, Centre of Science, Podgorica, Montenegro3Institute of Public Health of Montenegro, Centre for Health Promotion, Podgorica, MontenegroEnsuring food safety in kindergartens is crucial for protecting the health of young children. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of 113 kitchen employees across the capital of Montenegro, Podgorica. These employees prepare and serve two to four meals daily for children under six. The study aimed to explore correlations between KAP and sociodemographic characteristics and compare self-reported practices with the observed ones. We hypothesized a significant association between the kitchen staff’s knowledge, attitudes, and food handling practices, emphasizing education and training for better hygiene practices. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and checklists. Respondents showed moderate knowledge (77.25±2.69 %) and positive attitudes (95.72±4.53 %), while observed practices were not as high (64.65±27.73 %). A weak positive correlation existed between knowledge and attitudes (r=0.190; p=0.04). Higher education, work experience, and frequent training were associated with better knowledge (p<0.05). Sociodemographic characteristics did not significantly influence attitudes and practices. Multivariate logistic regression indicated knowledge and attitude as predictors, with food safety attitude impacting safe handling practices. Our findings showed moderate knowledge and positive attitudes do not necessarily lead to good practices, as there was no significant correlation between knowledge and self-reported practices or between attitudes and self-reported practices. Education is crucial, as educated staff were more likely to know more about temperature control, cross-contamination prevention, and equipment hygiene. Overcoming external barriers such as infrastructure and time constraints is essential to applying knowledge fostering positive attitudes and improving hygiene practices in kindergartens. This study underscores the need for targeted interventions to ensure safe food handling practices in childcare settings, emphasizing continuous education to maintain food safety standards.https://doi.org/10.2478/aiht-2024-75-3878childcareeducationfood handlerskap surveyobrazovanjerukovanje hranomupitnik o kapustanove predškolskoga obrazovanja |
| spellingShingle | Milanović Maja Mugoša Boban Kolašinac Biljana Popović Survey on hygiene and food safety among kitchen staff in preschools in Podgorica, Montenegro Arhiv za Higijenu Rada i Toksikologiju childcare education food handlers kap survey obrazovanje rukovanje hranom upitnik o kap ustanove predškolskoga obrazovanja |
| title | Survey on hygiene and food safety among kitchen staff in preschools in Podgorica, Montenegro |
| title_full | Survey on hygiene and food safety among kitchen staff in preschools in Podgorica, Montenegro |
| title_fullStr | Survey on hygiene and food safety among kitchen staff in preschools in Podgorica, Montenegro |
| title_full_unstemmed | Survey on hygiene and food safety among kitchen staff in preschools in Podgorica, Montenegro |
| title_short | Survey on hygiene and food safety among kitchen staff in preschools in Podgorica, Montenegro |
| title_sort | survey on hygiene and food safety among kitchen staff in preschools in podgorica montenegro |
| topic | childcare education food handlers kap survey obrazovanje rukovanje hranom upitnik o kap ustanove predškolskoga obrazovanja |
| url | https://doi.org/10.2478/aiht-2024-75-3878 |
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