Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate long-term effectiveness of food safety training developed for FBO volunteers and to compare effectiveness of training with or without interactive games.
Methods: FBOs in hurricane prone states and KS were recruited for food safety training. Volunteers and untrained members of congregations were invited to participate in the training. A 20-minute video with or without interactive games was used for training. An identical test was developed to measure food safety knowledge and attitudes toward food safety and training and pilot tested before data collection. Descriptive statistics summarized the data and repeated measures of MANOVA were calculated to evaluate the differences between the pre-test (Pre) and two post-tests: Immediately after the intervention (Post1) and three months follow-up (Post2).
Results: A total of 263 individuals participated in one of training sessions and completed Pre and Post1. Of those, 173 participants completed 3-month follow up test (Post2). The overall attitudes toward food safety and training were not different across three different tests (P > 0.05). However, knowledge scores (30 points total) significantly increased after the intervention (Pre = 19.8 ± 4.1, Post1 = 26.0 ± 2.8, & Post2 = 24.4 ± 2.8, P < 0.001). Post2 knowledge score was significantly lower than Post1 (P < 0.001) indicating reduction of knowledge over time, but the mean knowledge score after 3 months was 4.6 points higher than the pre-test (P < 0.001). Despite increased interactions and repeated information transfers during interactive games, there were no significant differences in mean knowledge scores of three tests between groups with or without games (P > 0.05).
Significance: After one hour of food safety training utilizing media and interactive games, volunteers and members of FBOs gained food safety knowledge. Providing short but targeted food safety training may benefit not-for-profit groups such as FBOs to ensure food safety.