Marut Nambutr. Knowledge and awareness of public health volunteers concerning food safety : a case study in muang district, Udon Thani province . Master's Degree(Environment). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2005.
Knowledge and awareness of public health volunteers concerning food safety : a case study in muang district, Udon Thani province
Abstract:
This research studied the level of education and awareness of public health
volunteers, and its influence on knowledge and obstacles concerning food safety,
Muang District, Udon Thani Province. It is quantitative research applying
questionnaires of 400 sampling to data analysis with percentage, mean, standard
deviation, T-test, Analysis of Variance and Multiple Classification Analysis
Results indicated that sampling had knowledge of food safety at a moderate
level while awareness remained high. Factors influencing knowledge on food safety
were age, educational level, perception of benefits of food safety, and perception of
consumer rights, all having a statistically significant level of 0.001. Occupation was
also another factor which influenced knowledge of food safety, with a statistically
significant level of 0.01. Findings, from the study of factors influencing awareness on
food safety, revealed that self-healthcare behavior and perception of consumer rights
influenced awareness at a statistically significant level of 0.001. Moreover, perception
of benefits on food safety impacted awareness of food safety at a statistical
significance of 0.01, educational level, and receiving news which also had an
influence on awareness by a statistically significant level of 0.05. After all, knowledge
and awareness on food safety are positively associated with each other a statistically
significant level of 0.01. As for obstacles of food safety, the sampling possessed very
little knowledge concerning food safety, especially knowledge of selecting safe food,
and principles of sanitation food safety.
Research suggests a problem with food choice based on persuasive power of
advertisements, and choosing food without labels displaying ingredients. Research
suggested the sampling with a low rate of news reception on food safety had also less
perception of consumer rights or appropriate self-healthcare behavior. Results of this
research suggested that knowledge concerning food safety should be better publicized
along with knowledge on buying safe food and sanitation food safety.
Introducing appropriate behavior in self-healthcare by using aggressive public
relations though public health personnel, and mass media, such as televisions and
radios, together with local media, for example news broadcast towers and
interpretation signs, should be considered. Training, seminars, practical meetings and
job training on knowledge concerning food safety among the public health should be
conducted.