P2-106 Investigation and Outreach to Increase Public Awareness of Campylobacteriosis

Tuesday, July 11, 2017
Exhibit Hall (Tampa Convention Center)
Hannah Bolinger , North Carolina State University , Raleigh , NC
Introduction: Campylobacter is a leading agent of foodborne disease and the resulting illness can have severe secondary sequelae, such as Guillain-Barre Syndrome. Public awareness about this pathogen is lower than for other leading foodborne pathogens, but research into specific knowledge gaps is lacking. 

Purpose: The purpose was to evaluate the level of knowledge regarding Campylobacter among college students at the start of  a college-level Food Microbiology class. Additionally, outreach and education materials were developed in an attempt to increase public awareness regarding campylobacteriosis.

Methods: A survey was administered at the beginning of the semester to students enrolled in Food Microbiology at North Carolina State University. A website, campylobacter.fbns.ncsu.edu, was created as a platform for publishing educational materials. Additionally, links to articles published on our website or elsewhere were posted through our social media campaign on Twitter (@Campypack).

Results: An estimated 34% of students beginning a class in Food Microbiology indicated that  they never heard of Campylobacter. Many were unaware of the prevalence of  campylobacteriosis or the leading  food vehicles. The website has been accessed mostly be individuals living in the USA and UK with more than 2,000 page views since May 2016. On Twitter, 147 tweets have reached more than 10,000 Twitter users since June 2016.  

Significance: Gaps in public knowledge regarding Campylobacter are still largely undefined. However, students taking Food Microbiology have all passed a general microbiology course and one-third of these students were unaware of Campylobacter. The general public may be  even less likely to have a good understanding of campylobacteriosis, suggesting the need for education and outreach.