Assessing the Impact of Digital Deep Learning Tools on Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, and Behavioural Change in Food Safety Among Food Handler Workers in Al Qassim Hospitals
Main Article Content
Abstract
Food safety in hospital settings is critical due to the vulnerability of patients to foodborne illnesses. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a digital learning intervention in improving food safety knowledge, attitudes, practices (KAP), and behavioral change among hospital food handlers in public hospitals in Al Qassim, Saudi Arabia. A quasi-experimental pre–post design was employed involving 211 participants. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, behavioral assessments, and qualitative methods. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test revealed statistically significant improvements across all KAP dimensions and behavioral outcomes (p < .001), with large effect sizes (r = 0.87). Regression analysis indicated that practice improvement was the strongest predictor of behavioral change, followed by knowledge, perceived training effectiveness, and attitude. Qualitative findings highlighted the role of engagement, relevance, and organizational support in enhancing training outcomes. Despite these improvements, barriers such as workload and digital literacy challenges were identified. The study concludes that digital learning is an effective and scalable approach for improving food safety practices in hospital settings, particularly when supported by institutional reinforcement mechanisms.
Article Details
Section
How to Cite
References
1. Al Banna, M., Sayeed, A., Hasan, M. T., Kundu, S., & Khan, M. S. I. (2022). Food safety knowledge, attitudes, and practices among food handlers in healthcare settings: A cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health, 22(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.xxxx/xxxx
2. Barnabas, T., Gebru, M., & Desta, H. (2024). Assessment of food safety practices among food handlers in institutional settings. International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 34(2), 150–162.
3. Bettridge, J., Leach, M., & McKenzie, J. (2022). Food safety training effectiveness and behavioural outcomes: A systematic review. Food Control, 134, 108682. https://doi.org/10.xxxx/xxxx
4. Cai, L., Zhang, T., & Chen, Y. (2023). Effectiveness of digital learning interventions on food safety knowledge and practices: A quasi-experimental study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(5), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.xxxx/xxxx
5. Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.
6. Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2018). Designing and conducting mixed methods research (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.
7. Elobeid, T., Ahmed, A., & Musa, R. (2019). Impact of training on food safety practices among food handlers. Journal of Food Safety, 39(3), e12645.
8. Faour-Klingbeil, D. (2022). Food safety in healthcare institutions: Challenges and solutions. Food Control, 137, 108941.
9. Fekadu, G., Alemayehu, T., & Desta, M. (2024). Food safety knowledge and practices among food handlers in public institutions. BMC Public Health, 24(1), 1–10.
10. Fetters, M. D., Curry, L. A., & Creswell, J. W. (2013). Achieving integration in mixed methods designs. Health Services Research, 48(6), 2134–2156.
11. Field, A. (2018). Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.
12. Gebru, M., Tadesse, T., & Alemu, D. (2024). Food safety compliance among institutional food handlers: A behavioural approach. Food Protection Trends, 44(1), 45–56.
13. Halim-Lim, S., Rahman, A., & Karim, N. (2023). Hygiene practices among food handlers in institutional kitchens. Journal of Food Protection, 86(4), 100–110.
14. Jubayer, M. F., Rahman, M., & Islam, M. (2020). Influence of education level on food safety practices. Food Research International, 130, 108927.
15. Kwol, V. S., Eluwole, K. K., & Avci, T. (2020). Food safety knowledge, attitude, and practices: A systematic review. Food Control, 113, 107170.
16. Nawawi, N., Abu Bakar, F., & Omar, S. (2022). Knowledge–practice gap in food safety: Evidence from food handlers. Food Control, 130, 108321.
17. Olaimat, A. N., Shahbaz, H. M., & Holley, R. A. (2022). Food safety risk perception and behaviour: Application of health belief model. Food Control, 131, 108475.
18. Omar, S. S., & Mohd Shahril, A. (2019). Food safety training and its impact on behaviour. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 76, 151–160.
19. Pallant, J. (2020). SPSS survival manual (7th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
20. Plano Clark, V. L., & Ivankova, N. V. (2016). Mixed methods research: A guide to the field. SAGE Publications.
21. Soon, J. M., Baines, R., & Seaman, P. (2020). Meta-analysis of food safety training effectiveness. Food Control, 109, 106911.
22. Sobuj, M., Rahman, M., & Hossain, S. (2022). Hygiene compliance among food handlers in institutional settings. Journal of Food Safety, 42(2), e12985.
23. Taha, S., Alharbi, A., & Almutairi, N. (2024). Digital learning and food safety behaviour in healthcare settings. Healthcare, 12(2), 200–215.
24. Zaujan, N. A., Aziz, N. A., & Rahman, R. A. (2021). Mobile-based food safety education and its impact on behaviour. Food Control, 125, 107920.