Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Towards Safety ; Health Risks ; Food Manufacturing Introduction Food manufacturing in Malaysia exposes workers to numerous potential hazards and health risks throughout the work process. This study aimed to determine the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) towards safety and health risks among food manufacturing workers and to examine the relationship between these domains. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed involving 80 workers from three food manufacturing factories in Negeri Sembilan. KAP was assessed through a validated questionnaire adapted from a previous study. Results All workers (100%) demonstrated a positive attitude, 98.7% show good practice, and 93.8% exhibit a good level of knowledge towards safety and health risks. The correlation study showed significant positive correlations between gender and attitude, and between education level and attitude, indicating that these sociodemographic factors influence safety attitudes. Work experience is significantly associated with knowledge, suggesting that work experience enhances knowledge. The study also reveals weak positive correlations among knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding safety and health risk, but a significant correlation is observed between knowledge and practice. Conclusions These findings suggest that fostering practical knowledge is essential for ensuring safe work behaviors. Prioritizing hands-on safety training can help bridge the gap between theoretical attitude and daily operational safety, ultimately reducing occupational health risks among food manufacturing workers.

Introduction: Nasal colonisation of S. aureus in healthy children was 18% to 30%. One to three percent of them were colonised by Methicillin-resistant Staphlycoccus aureus (MRSA). Although MRSA infection has become increasingly reported, population-based S. aureus and MRSA colonisation estimates are lacking. The main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of S. aureus carriage among children. Methods: Nasal samples for S. aureus culture were obtained from 250 children from three kindergartens in the Klang Valley, after consent was obtained from the children and their parents. Swabs were transported in Stuart medium, and inoculated on mannitol-salt agar within four hours of collection. Identification and disk diffusion test were done according to guidelines. Polymerase chain reaction was done on MRSA isolates for the presence of mecA and lukS/FPV genes. Results: Overall prevalence of S. aureus and MRSA carriage were 19.2% (48/250) and 1.6% (4/250) respectively. mecA gene was present in all isolates, 50% isolates carried Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL) gene. Sccmec type I was found in 2 isolates and the remaining isolates has Sccmec type V. Conclusion: The prevalence of S. aureus and MRSA carriage were similar to other studies. However, risk of contracting severe infection might be higher due to presence of PVL gene in half of the MRSA isolates.
Staphylococcus aureus