Assessment of Food Safety Knowledge and Behaviors of Cancer Patients Receiving Treatment

Abstract

Cancer patients receiving treatment are at a higher risk for the acquisition of foodborne illness than the general population. Despite this, few studies have assessed the food safety behaviors, attitudes, risk perceptions, and food acquisition behaviors of this population. Further, no studies have, yet, quantified the food safety knowledge of these patients. This study aims to fill these gaps in the literature by administering a thorough questionnaire to cancer patients seeking treatment in three hospitals in a Midwest, metropolitan area. Demographic, treatment, food security, and food safety knowledge, behaviors, attitudes, risk perceptions, and acquisition information was assessed for 288 patients. Specific unsafe attitudes, behaviors, and acquisition practices were identified. Most notable is that 49.4% (n = 139) of participants were not aware that they were at increased risk of foodborne infection, due to their disease and treatment. Additionally, though patients exhibited a general understanding of food safety, the participant average for correctly answering the food safety questions was 74.77% ± 12.24%. The section concerning food storage showed lowest participant knowledge, with an average score of 69.53% ± 17.47%. Finally, patients reporting low food security also reported a higher incidence of unsafe food acquisition practices (P < 0.05). These findings will help healthcare providers to better educate patients in the food safety practices necessary to decrease risk of foodborne infection, and to provide targeted food safety education to low-food-security patients.

Awareness and Attitudes of Student Dietitians in Lebanon, UK and USA towards Food Safety

“…Handling leftovers was the topic that the dietetics students had the least understanding of in this study. This is of concern because the high-risk patients report low understanding of leftover handling [9,23] and would benefit of the advice by their dietitians. In fact, the leftover handling was identified as one of the major knowledge gaps among cancer patients receiving treatment in the USA [9] and the UK [23].…”

“…This is of concern because the high-risk patients report low understanding of leftover handling [9,23] and would benefit of the advice by their dietitians. In fact, the leftover handling was identified as one of the major knowledge gaps among cancer patients receiving treatment in the USA [9] and the UK [23]. Preventing prolonged storage of RTE food products is vital, particularly among vulnerable patient groups.…”

“…This is particularly the case with older adults, who are more likely to seek information from family physicians and dietitians [8]. It has been shown that high risk patients, such as those receiving chemotherapy treatment are often not aware of their increased susceptibility to foodborne diseases [9]. Trust in the source of food safety information is a critical element for the successful delivery of food safety information.…”

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice in Preventing Infection Among Patients With Cancer Receiving Chemotherapy

“…These results are in accordance with previous studies, which found that patients with cancer need to receive understandable and timely information about FN, and the potential impact of neutropenia and infections on chemotherapy delays or dose modifications. 19 Paden et al 22 similarly reported that patients with cancer with insufficient food safety knowledge expressed negative attitudes toward some aspects of food safety. To improve patients' knowledge, attitude, and behaviors regarding central venous catheter management, existing research supports implementing effective education programs to foster greater self-care abilities and positive self-care management attitudes through face-to-face instruction and discussion, training, and feedback from nurses.…”

“…This finding is similar to other research, which has reported that poor or insufficient knowledge can influence a lack of awareness or low-risk perceptions, negative attitudes, lack of confidence in self-management skills, or low motivation to implement self-care behavior among patients with cancer. 22,30 Adherence to dietary, personal, oral, and hand hygiene; home environmental cleaning; pet care and safety; activities and social interactions; and FN management practices are of paramount importance among patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy. 15,[31][32][33] The factors influencing infection prevention practice were evaluated with multiple regression analysis, revealing that knowledge and attitude were concomitant predictors of practice toward infection prevention.…”