Food safety knowledge and reported behaviour of university students in Kuwait

This study set out to document the extent of knowledge and practice of food safety in Kuwaiti university students and to look for possible factors affecting knowledge and practice. A 10-question multiple choice test of knowledge and a 17 - question graded response behaviour questionnaire were administered to a total of 510 students. While only 29% of students achieved a score of 5 or more out of 10 in the knowledge test, the mean score across all the questions on the behaviour questionnaire was 4.14 of a maximum possible 5. Despite this, there was a good correlation between knowledge and reported behaviour. Female students scored significantly better in both knowledge and reported behaviour. Older students were significantly less knowledgeable. Education status of the mother, but not ofthe father, was a significant factor in both knowledge and reported behaviour. Students with a special interest in nutrition achieved better scores for reported food safety behaviours. It appears that knowledge of food safety in Kuwaiti university students is largely acquired by precept within the home. Future focus group studies could help to elucidate this process as well as explore the extent to which reported behaviours mirror actual behaviours.