I investigrated elementary school students' perception, knowledge, behavior, experience and preference of education method related to food safety in order to provide basic information for food safety education. This survey study was conducted with 577...
I investigrated elementary school students' perception, knowledge, behavior, experience and preference of education method related to food safety in order to provide basic information for food safety education. This survey study was conducted with 577, fourth and sixth grade students, from two schools in Daegu and Gyeongbuk.
Students were asked forty-nine questions regarding food safety perception, knowledge, behavior and experiences as well as their attitude to food safety class and preference for teaching method. The data were analyzed for the frequency analysis, t-test, chi-square test, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation using the SPSS/Windows.
Results indicated that perception of unsanitary food was low. 80.9 percent of the respondents did not know what unsanitary food is. 67.9 percent of the respondents did not know the proper method of hand washing. Although the students' level of perception, knowledge and behavior associated with food safety was low, there was meaningful correlation(r=.186, p<.001) between perception and behavior. Also, there was meaningful correlation(r=.095, p<.05) between knowledge and behavior. Surprisingly, students in higher grade did not demonstrate an exceeding food safety perception, knowledge and behavior. Almost 50 percent of the subjects did not have food safety education either at home or school. 65.5 percent of the respondents is interested in food safety and the majority recognized that a food safety education is needed. Students want to learn about unsanitary food(35.0%), food selection and storage method(32.9%), foodborne illness(21.3%), and personal hygiene(9.2%) through game, role play, and practice in real situation.
These results suggest that development of food safety education is needed through the elementary school year and the education program must include fun activities in which students can participate.