Introduction: Foodborne diseases have caused a significant morbidity and mortality around the world. Food safety is an increasingly important public health issue since years ago until now. Food handlers have a major role in the prevention of food poisoning during food production and distribution. However, food contamination by food handlers could occur and leading to foodborne diseases if they lack knowledge and neglect of their personal hygiene on food handling practices in their premises. This study was aimed to assess the level knowledge, attitude and practices among food handlers in Kuala Lumpur. Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out on 30 food handlers. The information consisting of demographic, knowledge, attitude and practices on personal hygiene was collected using self-administered questionnaire. Results :Overall results showed that the majority of the food handlers had a good knowledge, attitude and practices on personal hygiene. Analyzed data obtained stated that mean score for knowledge is 2.84±0.10 out of total 3 respectively, attitude is 4.38±0.25 and practices is 4.37±0.68 out of total 5 respectively. Discussion :This study revealed that, although food handlers personal hygiene knowledge, attitude and practices were good, some of the hygiene aspects need to be emphasized. However, more effort is needed such as continuous education and food safety training should be provided periodically and frequently in order to minimize foodborne hazards

Introduction: Infections spread easily among children in nurseries due to overcrowding and their natural intimacy. Contact transmission is preventable through proper hand hygiene and good sanitation. This is a pilot study that evaluated knowledge, attitudes and practice (KAP) of hand hygiene among parents. Further study will focus on KAP among parents and caregivers in nurseries and its association with Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage. Methods :This cross-sectional study involved 30 university support staff who sent their children to nurseries. Participants were given questionnaires consisting statements related to personal hand hygiene, hand hygiene practices during the care of children and infection related to poor hand hygiene. Results :The mean score for knowledge of hand hygiene was 2.71 ±0.257 out of 3. Meanwhile, the mean score for attitude and practice of hand hygiene were 4.59 ±0.395 out of 5 and 4.54 ±0.362 out of 5 respectively. Discussions: Overall results showed that the majority of parents had a good understanding of hand hygiene. However more effort is needed to ensure good hand hygiene technique is taught as early as in nurseries and practiced in the community. This is very important for prevention of communicable diseases in the community

Background- Infections spread easily among children in nurseries due to overcrowding and their natural intimacy. Disease transmission via skin (particularly hand) contact is preventable through proper hand hygiene and good sanitation. Parental support and involvement in developing child’s hygienic behavior are essential in promoting child’s well being. This study aimed to determine knowledge, attitudes and practices of parents on hand hygiene, related to the care of their children. Methods- This cross-sectional study involved 240 parents of preschoolers in the Klang Valley, Malaysia. Participants were given self-administered questionnaires consisting statements related to personal hand hygiene, hand hygiene practices during childcare and infections related to poor hand hygiene. Results- The mean score for knowledge of hand hygiene was 2.72(SD 0.26) out of 3.00.Meanwhile, the mean score for attitude and practice of hand hygiene were 4.56(SD 0.58) out of 5.00 and 4.36 (SD 0.65) out of 5.00 respectively. Overall results showed that majority of parents had a good understanding of hand hygiene. However, about two thirds parents did not agree on washing hands before interacting with their children. Of concern, about 76% parents are unaware of correct hand washing techniques. Conclusions- This study highlighted the need for more comprehensive educational programs to create awareness regarding the importance of hand hygiene particularly among parents and children. This is very important for prevention of communicable diseases in the community.