Avaliação dos conhecimentos, atitudes, práticas e percepção de riscos de doenças de transmissão hídrica e alimentar de manipuladores de alimentos treinados de Laranjeiras do Sul – Paraná

Abstract

The present work consists of evaluating Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) and the perception of risk of foodborne diseases (FBD), according to the perspective of food handlers in commercial and industrial establishments in Laranjeiras do Sul, after completing a Good Food Handling Practices course. Data collection was carried out by applying a questionnaire in an interview, with initial questions about the sociodemographic profile of the participants, in accordance with the CAP questions and perception of risk of DTH. The research was carried out with 50 food handlers, 62% female and 38% male, all over 20 years of age and the majority (44%) with more than 2 years of experience in the establishment. The overall knowledge average was 93.4%, considered satisfactory. Many participants (40%) were unaware that smell and taste are not reliable parameters to assess whether food is suitable for consumption, even after training. 98% of food handlers have knowledge of correct food thawing, 94% agree that they should thaw food at refrigeration temperature, 86% have a risk perception of high and very high, that thawing food at room temperature poses a risk to consumer health. However, 26% incorrectly thaw foods. The risk perception of DTHA for food handled by themselves was between very low and regular, even though some inappropriate practices were carried out and the majority had knowledge about correct handling. These results demonstrated that knowledge and attitude were not translated into practice, characterized by cultural factors that must be improved. Therefore, constant improvement work is necessary through periodic training in Safe Food Handling Practices, with the aim of improving handlers' knowledge about safe food handling, increasing risk perception and, mainly, motivate positive attitudes and appropriate practices to produce safe food in the Laranjeiras do Sul region.