Foodborne disease and food safety among college students in pandemic situation

Abstract

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, there were 6,205 cases of food poisoning recorded by the Public Health Emergency Operation Centre (PHEOC) Indonesia. Objective: The objectives of this study were to assess the profile, knowledge, attitude, and practice of food safety among college students in a pandemic situation. Method: This research is a cross-sectional study conducted online at Universitas Jember, Indonesia, in October 2020. The sample used was (n=187, college students whose profiles, knowledge, attitude and practice were analysed with a chi-square test and Spearman rank (α = 0.05). Result: The respondents were female (86.1%) and living in a dormitory (90.9%). The knowledge was medium, the attitude was neutral, and the practice was average. There was a significant correlation between profile and knowledge, attitude, and practice (p < 0.05); knowledge and attitude; knowledge and practice; attitude and practice in food safety among college students. (p < 0.05; α = 0.05). Conclusion: The college curriculum should be improved in knowledge, attitude and practice to prevent foodborne disease, especially in the pandemic situation.