A survey on knowledge and self-reported formula handling practices of parents and child care workers in Palermo, Italy

نویسندگان

  • Giuseppe Calamusa
  • Rosalia Maria Valenti
  • Ivana Guida
  • Caterina Mammina
چکیده

BACKGROUND Powdered infant formula (PIF) is not a sterile product, but this information appears to be poorly diffused among child caregivers. Parents and child care workers may behave in an unsafe manner when handling PIF. METHODS This study involved parents and child care workers in the 24 municipal child care centres of Palermo. Knowledge and self-reported practices about PIF handling were investigated by a structured questionnaire. A Likert scale was used to measure the strength of the respondent's feelings. Association of knowledge and self-reported practices with demographic variables was also evaluated. RESULTS 42.4% of parents and 71.0% of child care workers filled in the questionnaire. Significant differences were found between parents and child care workers for age and education. 73.2% of parents and 84.4% of child care workers were confident in sterility of PIF. Generally, adherence to safe procedures when reconstituting and handling PIF was more frequently reported by child care workers who, according to the existing legislation, are regularly subjected to a periodic training on food safety principles and practices. Age and education significantly influenced the answers to the questionnaire of both parents and child care workers. CONCLUSION The results of the study reveal that parents and child care workers are generally unaware that powdered formulas may contain viable microorganisms. However, child care workers consistently chose safer options than parents when answering the questions about adherence to hygienic practices.At present it seems unfeasible to produce sterile PIF, but the risk of growth of hazardous organisms in formula at the time of administration should be minimized by promoting safer behaviours among caregivers to infants in both institutional settings and home.

برای دانلود متن کامل این مقاله و بیش از 32 میلیون مقاله دیگر ابتدا ثبت نام کنید

ثبت نام

اگر عضو سایت هستید لطفا وارد حساب کاربری خود شوید

منابع مشابه

Title: a Survey on Knowledge and Self-reported Formula Handling Practices of Parents and Child Care Workers in Palermo, Italy

Dear Editor, I'am submitting a revised version of the manuscript according to the suggestions of the BMC Editorial Production Team. In particular, formatting changes have been done and Table 2 has been moved to the Additional File 1, because it cannot be re-oriented to fit the A4 portrait page dimension. Moreover, the Author's contributions section has been revised. Minor revisions have been al...

متن کامل

بررسی آگاهی، نگرش و عملکرد والدین دارای کودک زیر 6 سال مراجعه کننده به مراکز بهد اشتی درمانی شهر همدان در خصوص کنترل تب

Background and Objective: Control of fever in children is one of the most common reasons for parents to seek medical care and medical attention in health centers. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of parents with children under 6 years old referring to health centers in Hamadan regarding fever control. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectio...

متن کامل

Awareness towards Occupation Exposure among Health Care Workers of a Tertiary Care Hospital: A KAP Survey

Background and Objectives: Health care workers are under constant exposure to the risk of ooccupational blood-borne infection, which most of the time can be avoided by observing standard precautions. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of health care workers of a sample tertiary care hospital towards occupational exposure to blood-borne pat...

متن کامل

The Role of Child-Rearing Practices in the Socialization Processes of Junior High School Students: A Socio-Cultural Perspective

The Role of Child-Rearing Practices in the Socialization Processes of Junior High School Students: A Socio-Cultural Perspective M. Hossaynnejaad H. Abdollaahzaadeh, Ph.D. From a Vygotskian perspective since children construct their value systems through interaction with others, they can become self-regulated if their culture emphasizes such a characteristic via the child-reari...

متن کامل

Healthcare waste management and practices: A case study in Kodagu District, Karnataka, India

Inappropriate handling and disposal practices of healthcare waste (HCW) at healthcare centers are significantly increasing health and environmental hazards. This paper summarizes the existing situation of HCW handling and management practices at healthcare facilities in Kodagu district (India). This study was conducted for a period of six months using well-designed checklists along with field o...

متن کامل

ذخیره در منابع من


  با ذخیره ی این منبع در منابع من، دسترسی به آن را برای استفاده های بعدی آسان تر کنید

برای دانلود متن کامل این مقاله و بیش از 32 میلیون مقاله دیگر ابتدا ثبت نام کنید

ثبت نام

اگر عضو سایت هستید لطفا وارد حساب کاربری خود شوید

عنوان ژورنال:

دوره 9  شماره 

صفحات  -

تاریخ انتشار 2009