Evaluation of short-term and long-term effect of health training courses on knowledge, attitude, and practice of food handlers

Background: Good personal hygiene and sanitary handling practices at work are an essential part of any prevention program for food safety. Objective: This study conducted to investigate short- and long-term effect of public health training courses on knowledge, attitude, and practice of managers and food handlers in Kermanshah city. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 370 male food handlers participating in public health training courses. Hygiene knowledge and attitude of subjects were evaluated at the beginning, 1 month, and 2 years after completion of public health training courses. Data were collected using self-designed questionnaire and checklist. Results: Knowledge scores of subjects improved from 20.55 ± 4.03 to 23.73 ± 3.75, attitude scores from 107.2 ± 14.6 to 112.2 ± 14.5, and practice scores from 43.93 ± 7.6 to 46.1 ± 3.75 resulting in 9.94%, 3.87%, and 4.66% improvement in food dealers' knowledge, attitudes, and hygiene practices, respectively. Conclusion: The results showed that the educational intervention improved knowledge, attitude, and practice of preparation, distribution and sale food handlers, after a short period of training. Besides, after a long time, the knowledge and attitude level of participants are reduced and conversely, the level of practice has been increased