The effects of food safety education on adolescents' hand hygiene behavior: An analysis of stages of change

Eun Joo Kim, Andrew J. Pai, Nam E. Kang, Woo Kyoung Kim, Young Soon Kim, Hyun Kyung Moon, Ae Wha Ha

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The hand hygiene behavior of 400 middle school students (grades 1-3) in Seoul and Gyeonggi-Do was studied to determine how stages of change were affected by food safety education, focusing on hand hygiene and general food safety. Subjects were 51.3% male and 44.3% of study subjects were first graders of middle school. Approximately 40% of subjects were at the stage of action, 42.7% were at the stage of contemplation, and 16.4% were at pre-contemplation. The most important factor that influenced proper hand washing was self efficacy (P < 0.001). Proper hand washing was also correlated significantly with positive belief (P < 0.01) and stages of change (P < 0.01). After food safety education by high-school mentors, middle-school students who were in the stages of pre-contemplation (11.1%) and contemplation (88.9%) showed significant progression toward the action stage (P < 0.001). Proper hand washing (P < 0.01) and food safety knowledge (P < 0.05) were also significantly increased after educational intervention.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)169-174
Number of pages6
JournalNutrition Research and Practice
Volume6
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2012 Apr

Keywords

  • Behavior
  • Hand-washing
  • Middle school students
  • Self-efficacy
  • Stages of change

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Food Science
  • Nutrition and Dietetics

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