Determinants of knowledge, attitude, and practice towards aflatoxin contamination in food and aflatoxin biomarker levels among healthy Malaysian adults
doi.org/10.31246/mjn-2023-0089
- Author:
Chang Wei Lin
1
;
Rosita Jamaluddin
2
;
Hazizi Abu Saad
1
;
Mohd Redzwan Sabran
3
Author Information
1. Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
2. Department of Dietetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
3. Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia; Laboratory of Food Safety and Food Integrity, Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security (ITAFoS), Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
aflatoxins;
attitude;
healthy Malaysian adults;
knowledge;
practice
- From:
Malaysian Journal of Nutrition
2024;30(3):323-334
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Limited information exists regarding the factors that determine the
levels of knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) towards aflatoxin contamination
in food, including aflatoxin biomarker levels in populations at risk. This study
examined the associations between KAP levels with sociodemographic characteristics
and weight status of 359 healthy Malaysian adults. Methods: The study was
conducted among residents and workers in Selangor, Malaysia. Sociodemographic
characteristics and KAP levels were collected using a self-administered questionnaire,
and body weight was measured. Urine and fasting blood samples were collected for
aflatoxin M1 and aflatoxin B1 analyses, respectively. Results: Most respondents were
females, Chinese, aged 25–44 years, with poor knowledge but positive attitudes and
acceptable practices in controlling aflatoxin contamination in food. Univariate and
multivariate analyses revealed that the knowledge level was remarkably high among
females, unemployed, underweight or normal weight individuals, and those with a
monthly income of >RM 10,000. The attitude score was high in those with tertiary
education and those who were unemployed, while the practice score was high in
those with tertiary education. The levels of aflatoxin biomarkers varied significantly
according to ethnicity or age. Conclusion: These findings demonstrated that
sociodemographic characteristics and body weight status partly determined the
levels of KAP and aflatoxin biomarkers; this may aid in identifying populations that
would benefit from educational interventions to prevent aflatoxin contamination.
- Full text:202601131545504987Vol 30(3) 4.mjn.2023.0089 Chang.pdf
