Mothers’ Role in Providing Safe Food For Their ‎Children under Five Years

Abstract

Abstract Background: Safe food is necessary to ensure a good and healthy life for humans, especially for children who will become the future of their countries, which is considered a mother's responsibility. Aim: the aim of this study was to assess mothers’ role in providing safe food for their children under five years. Design: descriptive design was used. Setting: The study was conducted at General Medical Center, in Tanta at Al Gharbiya Governorate. Sample: A purposive sample of 120 mothers from previous mentioned setting. Tools: Two tools were used for data collection, first tool divided into six parts, structured interviewing questionnaire to assess socio-demographic characteristic of mothers, children’ characteristic, Mothers’ General knowledge about safe food, Mothers’ Practice regarding safe food, kitchen hygiene & environment and Health problems of children under five years checklist, second tool was checklist to assess hand washing technique. Results: 53.3% of the studied mothers had an unsatisfactory level of knowledge, 54.2% of the studied mothers have a suitable kitchen environment, 84.2% of the studied mothers hadn’t done correctly practices regarding safe food, 75% of the children under five years old of the studied mothers hadn’t health problems, and 81.7% of the studied mothers hadn’t done hand washing’ technique correctly. Conclusion: there was a highly statistically significant difference between mothers' socio-demographic characteristics and their knowledge and practices, and there was a positive relation between mothers’ knowledge and their practice regarding providing safe food for their children under five years. Recommendations: Health education programs regarding food handling should be implemented for increasing awareness of mothers to prevent foodborne diseases and its consequences.