Premium
FOOD SAFETY BEHAVIORS OF ADULT/ELDERLY CAREGIVERS IN NEVADA
Author(s) -
WILSON MARY P.,
BABU ARUNA SURENDERA,
OMAYE STANLEY T.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of food safety
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.427
H-Index - 43
eISSN - 1745-4565
pISSN - 0149-6085
DOI - 10.1111/j.1745-4565.2009.00148.x
Subject(s) - hazard , food safety , food preparation , environmental health , psychology , gerontology , rural area , medicine , business , chemistry , organic chemistry , pathology
As a prelude to developing food safety educational modules for Nevada adult/elderly caregiver facilities, we assessed the extent of such behavior through questionnaires, i.e., we assessed the behavior, attitudes and food safety practices of supervisors in adult/elderly care facilities. Our questionnaire was based on a validated consumer food behavior questionnaire, modified to better assess the needs of the target audience. The questionnaire was tested and revised before being distributed to the targeted group. Mailing lists were obtained from a variety of state, local and personal resources. Data were collected from 390 adult/elderly licensed caregiver facilities located throughout urban and rural areas of Nevada. Findings showed that although caregivers have a basic understanding of food safety, specific concerns exist, e.g., we found only 39% have Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point guidelines, and up to 44 and 34% exhibited risky food preferences and cleanness behavior, respectively. Thus, we were able to determine some gaps in food safety knowledge for adult/elderly care facilities in Nevada, where future educational strategies will be targeted.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS We found in this Nevada survey study that managers at adult/elderly caregiver facilities have some basic understanding about food safety; however, knowledge gaps do exist, such as the lack of understanding Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point. Comparing among northern, southern and rural Nevada, we found that risky food preferences and behavior concerns may be attributed to the gaps, and that there were regional differences. Our findings may be applied to other regions across the U.S.A. as the need for adult/elderly caregiver facilities increases due to the aging of the population. In the future, we will utilize this information to develop educational food safety training modules targeting the specific needs of these adult/elderly caregiver facilities.