Knowledge, Attitude and Practice on Food Hygiene and Sanitation, Optimistic Bias of Food Handlers, and their Association with Participation in Food Safety Training at A Hospital in Yogyakarta

Background: Incompatible sanitation hygiene practice during food processing in hos­pitals is possible due to optimism bias. This bias occurs when food handlers perceive that they are unlikely to cause foodborne illness. There is a lack of studies into this phe­nomenon. This study aimed to analyze knowledge, attit­u­d­e, and practice of sanitation hygiene and the optimistic bias of food handlers and their relationship with participation in food safety training. Subjects and Method: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in April to May, 2019. A sample consisting of all food handlers during the preparation, processing, and serving of food was taken at a hospital in Yogyakarta. Sample data on participation in food safety training, knowledge and attitude toward hygiene and sanitation, and optimis­tic bias, were collected by face-to-face interview using questionnaire and obser­vation. Know­ledge, attitude and practice with a score of more than 70% was categorized as good. The dependent variable was optimistic bias. The independent variable was attending food safety training. The data were tested by Student t. Result: Study subjects had good food safety knowledge, attitude and practices with mean scores of 72.4%, 71.2%, and 97.6%, respectively. Knowledge on sources of conta­mi­na­tion was low (25%). More than 50% of food handlers were talking while their worked. The food handlers perceived themselves as less likely to cause a foodborne disease, demon­strating the tendency of an optimistic bias. Food handlers who part­ici­pated in training (Mean= 6.40; SD= 2.56) perceived themselves at higher risk than the un­trained counterparts (Mean= 5.25; SD= 4.42), but this difference was statis­ti­cally non-significant (p= 0.454). Conclusion: Food handlers have good knowledge, attitude, and practice, but they tend to demonstrate optimistic bias with may cause ignorant of food safety procedure. The optimistic bias must be redressed to improve awareness toward food safety procedure. Keyword: sanitation hygiene, optimism bias, food handlers, food safety training participation Correspondence: Dwi Budiningsari. Department of Health Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing. Universitas Gadjah Mada. Email: [email protected]. Mobile: 08211­969393 DOI: https://doi.org/10.26911/the7thicph.04.13