Nutrition Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Teachers in Rehabilitation Centres in Northern Malaysia
- Author:
Chen ST
;
Soo KL
;
Azriani AR
;
Van Rostenberghe H
;
Sakinah H
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP), nutrition, persons with disabilities, teachers
- From:
Malaysian Journal of Nutrition
2012;18(2):185-205
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: Persons with disabilities (PWD) are susceptible to malnutrition. Caregivers or teachers in rehabilitation centres may not be adequately trained
in nutrition management of PWD. The aims of this study were (i) to assess the nutrition knowledge, attitude and practice among teachers in community-based
rehabilitation centres for PWD; and (ii) to evaluate changes in the nutrition knowledge and attitude of the teachers before and after exposure to a training
workshop on nutrition management for PWD. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a guided self-administered Nutrition Knowledge, Attitude
and Practice Questionnaire on Persons with Disabilities (KAP-nOKU), among a convenience sample of 210 teachers. Forty-five of them further participated in a
nutrition training workshop and completed the post-test evaluation on knowledge and attitude of the same measures. Results: At baseline, the teachers’ average knowledge, attitude and practice scores were 13.80±3.73 for knowledge
(below 50th percentile); 51.49±4.08 for attitude (above 75th percentile); and 48.08±3.61 for practice (between 50th and 75th percentile). There was significant
positive correlations between knowledge and attitude (r=0.343, p<0.05), as well as between attitude and practice (r=0.147, p<0.05). After exposure to a 3-day
nutrition workshop, significant improvements in the teachers’ knowledge and attitude were observed, whereby teachers’ knowledge score increased from
14.20±3.80 to 25.38±2.36 and from 51.16±3.97 to 55.20±4.41 for attitude (p<0.001). Conclusion: Nutrition intervention was associated with improvement in short
term knowledge and attitude of the teachers. Sustainable interventional strategies are needed to enhance the nutrition knowledge and skills of teachers of PWD.
- Full text:W020150714533985189011.pdf
