https://doi.org/10.4081/ijfs.2023.10716

Evaluating food safety knowledge and practices among Saudi women in Al-Ahsa Region, Saudi Arabia

Vol. 12 No. 1 (2023)
Submitted: 4 July 2022
Accepted: 16 January 2023
Published: 8 March 2023
Food safety, Foodborne illnesses, Food knowledge, Food practices, Saudi women, Al-Ahsa region
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Authors

Fahad Al-Asmari
falasmari@kfu.edu.sa
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4253-2796
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, King Faisal University, Al-Hofuf, Saudi Arabia.
Ahmed I.H. Ismail
Department of Agribusiness and Consumer Sciences, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, King Faisal University, Al-Hofuf, Saudi Arabia.

Foodborne illnesses are responsible for about half a million deaths annually, of which 30% occur among kids. This study aimed to assess the current food safety knowledge and practice level of Saudi women in Al-Ahsa region, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted through personal interviews among 239 Saudi women. The questionnaire consisted of close-ended questions covering different aspects of food safety knowledge and practices at home and during shopping. Descriptive analyses were used to identify the level of participant's awareness, and the scores were shown in three categories (good – fair – poor) based on their food safety knowledge and practice awareness. The effect of socio-demographic characteristics and their correlation to food safety knowledge and practices was conducted using Chi-square analysis. The results about food safety knowledge showed that around 50% of participants achieved a good score, and 37.5% achieved a fair score, while 12.5% achieved a poor score. In comparison, the participants achieved 75% good score, whereas 12.5% achieved both fair and poor in food safety practices. The results also highlighted a significant correlation (P<0.05) between level of food safety knowledge, practices of participants and their age, marital status, work status, and educational level, while there’s no correlation with their family size and total income. Although, the overall result showed good level in food safety knowledge and slightly less in food safety practices among Saudi women living in Al-Ahsa region, continuous education, training, awareness, and motivation are highly recommended to improve women’s knowledge and practices to higher levels.

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Ahmed I.H. Ismail, Department of Agribusiness and Consumer Sciences, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, King Faisal University, Al-Hofuf

Rural Community and Agric. Extension Department, College of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Egypt

How to Cite

1.
Al-Asmari F, Ismail AI. Evaluating food safety knowledge and practices among Saudi women in Al-Ahsa Region, Saudi Arabia. Ital J Food Safety [Internet]. 2023 Mar. 8 [cited 2024 Nov. 21];12(1). Available from: https://www.pagepressjournals.org/ijfs/article/view/10716
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