Showing 13 results for Knowledge
M Pirsaheb, A Almasi, M Rezaee,
Volume 3, Issue 3 (10-2010)
Abstract
Backgrounds and Objectives:The food handling employee education program improves food safety. Determining knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) level of workers who prepare, distribute and sale the food products make easy to control food safety. This study aimed to evaluate effects of intensive food safety education course on KAP of food handlers. in Kermanshah.
Materials andMethods: Knowledge, attitude and practice of 370workers of variety of food handling fields were studied before and after educational intervention course.Avalidated questionnaire about knowledge, attitude based on instruction from Ministry of Health and Medical Sciences for food handling was used for data collection. Paired t-test and Χ2 were applied for statistical analysis.
Results: The results showed positive effects of education program on KAP of food handlers. There was significant increase in knowledge marks before and after intervention, 20.5+ 4.03 vs. 23.73 + 3.75 (p<0.001).Attitude and practice of participants were increased significantly before 107.2+14.6 43.93+7.6 compared to after 112.23+14.5 46.11+8 intervention respectively (p<0.001). The most increased mark of KAP was belonged to 21-30 years age group.
Conclusion: Our findings confirm that educational intervention improved KAP of food handlers. To increase food safety, running periodical educational courses for the same filed workers with final exam and providing certificate highly recommended.
E Rafeemanesh, L Nezakati Olfati,
Volume 8, Issue 2 (8-2015)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Food borne diseases are one of the common and persistent problems of health system that staff in food preparation and distribution centers play important role in their incident. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of educational courses on changing hygienic knowledge and practice of managers and staff in food preparation and distribution centers in Mashhad in 2012. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, knowledge and practice in tree domains of personal, construction and tools hygiene were studied in 513 employees and employers of food preparation and distribution centers in Mashhad. The data was collected through interview, observation, and inspection checklist. Results: 265 subjects (51.6%) passed training course and awarded certificate, while 248 subjects (48.4%) did not participate whatsoever in training courses. Mean scores of knowledge and performance in trained group were 68.1±16.1 and 70.8±10.5% and in untrained group were 62.6±15.4 and 61.8±11.6% respectively, indicating statistically significant difference (p<0.05). Comparing scores of knowledge and practice scores between employers with valid certificate (during last 3 years) with employers without certificate did not show any valuable statistically difference in score reduction. Conclusion: This study showed that hygienic training courses can be effective in improving knowledge and practice of managers and staff in food preparation and distribution centers.
Ghh Abdollahzadeh, M Sharif Sharifzadeh, Z Qadami Amraei,
Volume 9, Issue 4 (3-2017)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Chemical pesticides are considered a vital component of farming and play a substantial role in maintaining high agricultural productivity. Concerns regarding the health and environmental effects of the pesticides have been increased in recent years. Therefore, this research aimed to assess farmers’ awareness about the positive and negative impacts of pesticides and their health risk on human.
Materials and Methods: A survey study was carried out between two groups of farmers including chemical pesticide users (n= 126) and biological pesticide users (n = 98). The users were randomly selected from 20 villages. The studied villages were selected from two sub-districts by cluster sampling method. An expert-verified questionnaire that its design and contents were assessed by local professionals was used in this research. The reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed based on the calculated Cronbach Alpha Coefficient for two constructs of awareness: positive (0.75) and negative (0.83) impacts of pesticides.
Results: Results indicated that the farmers using biological control were well aware of the harmful impacts of pesticide and hence they used less pesticides than the chemical pesticide users. Although the two groups of the farmers highlighted the health impacts of chemical pesticides such as human and animal health threat, and pollution of surface and underground water, the users of biological control methods had more concerns in this regards. Most of the respondents stated that the pesticides caused serious health problems such as exhaustion, sweating, cough and headache, dizziness, skin inflammation and irritation, nausea and vomiting.
Conclusion: Even though the farmers were well aware of the impacts of pesticides use, they have less often used personal protective equipment. In order to promote farmers’ awareness of pesticide impacts, more efforts are needed to strengthen training programs and facilitate access to extension services.
M Ansari, T Dehdari, M Farzadkia,
Volume 11, Issue 3 (12-2018)
Abstract
Background and Objective: A scientific questionnaire for assessing the knowledge, attitude and judgment of people on waste management by municipalities has not been developed so far. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to design and validation of an instrument to assess the knowledge, attitude and judgment of people on waste management by municipalities.
Materials and Methods: This analytical study was conducted in District 21 of Tehran in 2017. The initial items of the questionnaire were designed based on previous studies and opinions of the team of specialists and people. Then, the face validity and the content validity of the designed questionnaire was examined. The face validity and the content validity was examined qualitatively and quantitatively, respectively. Finally, the reliability of the attitude and knowledge and evaluation of municipal performance items were measured by Cronbach's alpha and a test-retest method, respectively.
Results: The initial questionnaire had 43 items. In the face validity, 8 items were removed and 8 items were edited. In quantitative content validity, 7 items were excluded, with the content validity index of less than 0.79 and the content validity ratio less than 0.49. Pearson correlation coefficient obtained for knowledge component equal to (r=0.77, p<0.0001) and for component performance (r=0.93, p<0.0001), respectively. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was equal to 0.89 for items attitudes, which were in an acceptable level.
Conclusion: The questionnaire can be used as a valid research instrument to collect information on knowledge, attitude and judgment of people on waste management by municipalities.
A Marzban, M Barzegaran, M Hemayatkhah, M Ayasi, S Delavari, Mt Sabzehei, V Rahmanian,
Volume 12, Issue 1 (5-2019)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Nowadays, with the increasing environmental issues such as energy crisis, climate change, waste generation and destruction of natural resources and the increase of waste materials due to the development of urbanization, human impact on the environment is one of the most challenging issues of the scientific community. The purpose of this study was to measure the level of awareness and environmental behaviors of Yazd citizens.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 1000 residents of Yazd in 2018 by cluster sampling. The data collection tool was a standard questionnaire for knowledge, attitude and environmental behavior. The score range for the three knowledge, attitude and practice structures was 0-12, 13-65, and 17-55, respectively. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and analytical tests at the significance level of 0.05 using spss16 software.
Results: One hundred percent of the questionnaires were completed. Mean score of knowledge and environmental attitude was 8.23 ± 3.92 and 36.15 ± 8.28 (moderate), and of the environmental behavior was 26.19 ± 7.14 (poor). There was a significant statistical difference between knowledge and environmental behavior of women and men. The level of knowledge and environmental behavior of women was higher (p<0.05). The largest source of environmental information was radio and television (42%).
Conclusion: Despite the relatively good awareness and attitude towards the environment, the majority of the people had poor performance due to the environmental behavior. Therefore, environmental awareness cannot be a guarantee of environmental behavior. It also needs to encourage persuasive social conditions and structure and facilitating environmental behaviors.
A Bondori, A Bagheri, M Sookhtanlou, O Jamshidi, A Norozi,
Volume 12, Issue 4 (2-2020)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Farmers in agricultural activities deal with various forms of chemical pesticides and thus their knowledge level can have a positive or negative impact on the food health of a community and the environment. Understanding their knowledge about the consequences of poisoning will provide an effective extension for promoting environmentally friendly methods in farms and maintaining food security. Hence, the aim of this study was to assess the farmers' knowledge of Moghan plain about the consequences of chemical pesticides use for community health, the environment and food security in 2017.
Materials and Methods: The method of this study is descriptive and survey. The statistical population consisted of all farmers (water cultivation) in the Moghan plain. The sample size of 400 was determined by multi-stage sampling method and using Kerjesi and Morgan table (1970). The study tool was a questionnaire whose validity was confirmed by a panel of experts and its reliability was confirmed by Cronbach's alpha coefficient.
Results: The findings showed that the majority of the farmers had relatively poor knowledge about the consequences of using chemical pesticides. The results of structural equation modeling (using Lisrel software) showed that the use of information resources, in total, predicted 24% of variance of farmers' knowledge about the consequences of chemical pesticides.
Conclusion: Given that more favorable safety behavior and cultivation of more healthy crops are based on the farmers' knowledge about the use and consequences of chemical pesticides, hence, the attention of authorities and planners for conducting various workshops in line with farmers' perceptions about the use of knowledge and the consequences chemical pesticides are needed.
Mogheiseh Sherafati, Gholamhossein Abdollahzadeh, Mohammad Sharif Sharifzadeh, Mohammad Reza Mahboobi,
Volume 13, Issue 3 (11-2020)
Abstract
Background and Objective: pesticides are essential to protect plants from pests and diseases. Extensive and unsafe use of pesticides by farmers pose various risks to human health and the environment. Therefore, the present study evaluates farmers' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding pesticides use and the health problems associated with their use.
Materials and Methods: In this human-research survey the target population consisted of 6170 farmers and fruit growers in Galogah County, Mazandaran province, were included. Multi-stage cluster sampling was used to select samples within 2 sub-districts and 13 villages, and the information was collected through 379 questionnaires. Statistical tests such as Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis H, Spearman Correlation and Linear Regression were used to analyze the obtained data.
Results: The respondents have no sufficient knowledge regarding the safe use of pesticides. Respondents' attitudes toward the impacts of pesticide use were positive. The safety measures were less considered by majority of respondents. Moreover, the results revealed that personal protective equipment (mask, gloves and, goggles) and safe disposal of pesticide residues are not fully taken into consideration. The dizziness, skin problems, headache and vomiting were the most common symptoms of pesticide-related illnesses. The findings of regression analysis showed that wide range of knowledge and proper attitudes about the safe use of pesticides are beneficial and can act as the promoting factor in farmers' safety behavior regarding pesticides use.
Conclusion: In conclusion, providing pesticide users with sufficient knowledge, safety information and effective personal equipment such as wearing masks, goggles and gloves should be given highest priorities.
Sakine Shekoohiyan, Mobina Hadadian, Mohsen Heidari,
Volume 14, Issue 3 (12-2021)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Changes in the quantity and quality of waste produced as a result of compliance with health protocols are the result of the COVID-19 outbreak. The present study aimed to determine the quantity of personal protection equipment produced in Tehran and people’s knowledge of its management.
Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional and descriptive-analytical study was carried out on 2560 participants in Tehran through an online survey in spring 2020. Based on the percentage of using masks and gloves, the amount of produced waste was calculated, and Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis statistical tests were run to explore the relationship between the variables.
Results: The overall Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the questionnaire was 0.94, and the rate of mask and glove use was 90.7% and 65.7%, respectively. 70.3% and 52% of the population used two masks and one pair of gloves on a daily basis. The number of daily produced masks and pairs of gloves was 14530407 and 5262666, respectively. Mann-Whitney U-test showed a statistically significant difference between gender and marital status with people’s knowledge of waste management (p <0.05). Kruskal-Wallis test showed a significant difference between the economic status and people’s knowledge of separating the produced waste (p <0.05). People with an increasing income tended to separate the waste more.
Conclusion: Due to the high volume of personal protective wastes and the lacking knowledge of one-third of the participants about the transmission of the virus through contaminated waste, it is necessary to raise awareness of breaking the virus transmission chain.
Mohsen Ansari, Mahdi Farzadkia,
Volume 15, Issue 3 (12-2022)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Today, the issue of health aspects in urban waste management, especially recycling, has received a lot of attention during Covid-19 around the world. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and performance of workers of one of the waste recycling centers in Tehran metropolis regarding health aspects during the spread of Covid-19.
Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study and the study population was all workers working in one of the recycling centers of Tehran Municipality. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire with validity and reliability in four sections: demographic, knowledge, attitude, and practice of workers toward Covid-19 and solid waste.
Results: Findings of the study showed that the highest number of workers employed were in the age group of 20 to 40 years (60 percent). The level of knowledge was about 80 percent and the lack of awareness was 20 percent. The level of workers' positive attitude, negative attitude, and lack of attitude were 79.71, 14.56, and 5.72 percent, respectively. The level of positive practice among workers was about 67.43 percent and the negative practice was 32.57 percent.
Conclusion: The results clarified that in order to succeed in waste management programs in recycling centers, municipal waste managers should pay more attention to educational aspects, especially through the focus on programs and their development and adaptation for different age groups, especially 20 to 40 years.
Mobina Nadem Souraki, Fatemeh Nejatzadeh, Fathollah Gholami-Borujeni,
Volume 15, Issue 4 (3-2023)
Abstract
Background and Objective: The current research aimed to evaluate the level of environmental knowledge, attitude, and performance of the citizens of Mazandaran province in 2021.
Materials and Methods: In a descriptive study, the level of environmental knowledge, attitude, and performance of the citizens of Mazandaran province were evaluated. The statistical population of the research (384 people) was selected by simple random method. In order to collect data, a questionnaire whose reliability was determined in previous studies was used. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 21 software. Using Pearson's correlation test, the relationship between knowledge and environmental performance was analyzed.
Results: Among the 384 participants, only 135 answered all the questions. The results of the study showed that, despite the average knowledge of the citizens, the environmental performance is at a good level. The average score of environmental knowledge, attitude, and performance was 5.93±2.06, 47.67±9.30, and 58.70±12.69 respectively, and the most source of obtaining environmental information is television (46.7 percent) and social conversations (19.3 percent). The results of Pearson's correlation test show that there was a significant relationship between the awareness and environmental performance of citizens (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Despite the average knowledge of the citizens, their environmental performance was at a good level, but according to several reports, the Mazandaran province's environmental indicators are not in good condition, which indicates that probably mechanisms and other factors such as environmental policies and economic factors also affect people's environmental performance, which should be investigated.
Ensiyeh Norozi, Farideh Fathinejad, Fatemeh Salmani, Parisa Sadighara, Tayebeh Zeinali,
Volume 16, Issue 1 (6-2023)
Abstract
Background and Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the difference in knowledge, attitude, and performance in terms of food hygiene and safety between people with and without a history of Covid-19.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 712 people from August to September 2021 using a standard online questionnaire. The questionnaire had four sections, the first section includes demographic information, the second section includes seven questions related to participants' knowledge about food hygiene and safety, the third section includes ten questions about participants' attitudes, and the fourth section contains 10 questions related to participants' health performance. Multiple regression models were used to investigate the main predictors of knowledge, attitude, and performance. The significance level was considered as p < 0.05.
Results: There were 271 (43%) people with a history of infection and 361 (57%) without infection. Demographic factors were not significantly different between people with and without a history of infection. The results of the present study showed that knowledge (p=0.05) and people's performance (p=0.002) about food hygiene and safety have a significant relationship with the history of corona infection. However, people's attitude was not affected by the corona infection (p=0.17). Attitude was the major predictor of performance (p <0.001).
Conclusion: It can be claimed that contracting Corona has increased people's knowledge and improved performance regarding food hygiene and safety during the Covid-19 pandemic and has improved health conditions.
Hooshmand Bagheri Garbollagh, Fatemh Mohammadi,
Volume 17, Issue 1 (6-2024)
Abstract
Background and Objective: The challenge of fostering healthier societies begins with considering the environment and promoting collective acceptance of environmentally friendly behaviors. Consumer choices regarding the environment impact the health and quality of life for current and future generations. Therefore, it is essential for academics and marketers to understand the concept and characteristics of green consumers. Consequently, the aim of the current research is to identify factors influencing consumers' attitudes toward environmentally friendly products, while also considering the moderating role of green innovation.
Materials and Methods: This study is applied in terms of purpose, descriptive and survey method. The statistical population comprises all consumers of green products in Shahin Dezh city. A sample size of 208 individuals was determined using Cochran's formula selected through simple random sampling. A standard questionnaire was used to collect information. To analyze the research data, structural equation modeling software Lisrel and Smart-Pls3 were used.
Results: The research findings indicated that environmental attitude (significance coefficient of 5.20), health consciousness (significance coefficient of 4.07), and environmental knowledge (significance coefficient of 3.30) positively influence consumers' attitude toward green products. Additionally, the study recognized and confirmed the significance of the green innovation variable as an important moderating factor in this relationship.
These relationships are statistically significant. Additionally, the study recognizes and confirms the green innovation variable as an important moderating variable in this relationship.
Conclusion: Our findings offer valuable insights for tailoring educational strategies targeted at diverse consumer groups to promote the adoption of environmentally friendly products. By fostering such consumer behavior, we aim to contribute to the creation of a healthier environment for both present and future generations.
Mohammad Haji Ketabi, Farzaneh Mohammadi, Amir Hossein Nafez, Neda Asari,
Volume 17, Issue 2 (9-2024)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Household hazardous wastes can pose significant risks to the environment, increase the death rate and dangerous diseases due to their quantity, concentration or physical, chemical, or biological quality. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of educational intervention on the knowledge and attitude of health workers (Behvarzes) and health care workers of Ardestan city regarding household hazardous waste management.
Materials and Methods: This research was a semi-experimental interventional study conducted among 64 healthcare workers of the Ardestan health network in Isfahan province. A valid and reliable questionnaire was used to collect data. The data were entered into SPSS version 22 software for statistical analysis and analyzed through Mann-Whitney, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and paired T-tests.
Results: After the training, the average knowledge scores of Behvarzes and health-care workers in the sample group increased from 22.56±1.65 to 26.78±0.66, and their average attitude scores also increased from 89.37±2.67 to 95.31±2.71. The paired T-test showed a significant difference in the mean and standard deviation of knowledge and attitude scores in the intervention group before and after the intervention (p<0.05). The independent T-test did not show any difference in this regard according to the gender variable. The ANOVA test showed a significant difference between the different education groups after the intervention regarding the change in knowledge score or attitude according to education level (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the educational intervention for Behvarzes and healthcare workers was effective in raising their awareness and improving their attitudes towards the importance of household hazardous waste managemnt. Considering that the improvement of the household hazardous waste management system requires enhanced public awareness and attitude, as well as effective communication between Behvarzes, healthcare workers, and citizens, city managers can use the method employed in this study to organize regular training programs on household hazardous waste management.
