Food poisoning outbreaks among schoolchildren in Terengganu and their associated factors
Food poisoning is a public health problem in Malaysia and among the top five communicable diseases in Malaysia. This study aimed to determine the proportion of food poisoning cases involving schoolchildren in Terengganu in 2016 and their associated factors. This was a cross-sectional study using...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
2021
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| Online Access: | http://journalarticle.ukm.my/17175/ http://journalarticle.ukm.my/17175/1/13.pdf |
| Summary: | Food poisoning is a public health problem in Malaysia and among the top five communicable diseases in Malaysia.
This study aimed to determine the proportion of food poisoning cases involving schoolchildren in Terengganu in 2016 and
their associated factors. This was a cross-sectional study using secondary data collected from 21 food poisoning outbreaks
among schoolchildren in Terengganu in 2016. The proportion of food poisoning outbreaks involving schoolchildren in
Terengganu in 2016 was 63.6%. Ministry of Education (MOE) school had contributed to 95.3% of outbreak cases, 81%
occurred at secondary school and 57.1% involved school located in urban district. Poultry (61.9%) was the most common
food vehicle, and Salmonella spp. (52.4%) was the most common microbial etiological agent. Urban district schools
had the adjusted odds (aOR=1.803; 95% CI: 1.435,2.267; p < 0.001) compared with rural district schools. Non-MOE
schoolchildren were more likely to be involved in school food poisoning (aOR= 4.439; 95% CI: 2.690,7.177; p <0.001)
compared with MOE schoolchildren. Moreover, egg consumption was 4.6 times (aOR=4.627; 95% CI: 1.779,12.035;
p=0.002) more likely to be associated with school food poisoning outbreaks in Terengganu in 2016 compared with rice
consumption. Cross-contamination (aOR=0.445; 95% CI: 0.445,0.231; p=0.015) was less likely to be linked to school
food poisoning compared with inadequate cooking and reheating. Food poisoning among schoolchildren in Terengganu
has been associated with non-modifiable factors, such as school district location, and modifiable factors, such as food
vehicles and critical control points. Health education on food safety, food handling, strict hygiene practice and clean
canteen environment need to be strengthened. |
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