Developing, translating, and validating a survey instrument for assessing hospital food service staff’s food safety knowledge, perceptions, and practices during the COVID-19 pandemic

Authors

• Nisreen M. Abdulsalam, From the Department of Food and Nutrition (Abdulsalam, Alnomani), Faculty of Human Science and Design, King Abdul-Aziz University, and from the Department of Food Services (Alnomani), Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Hajar B. Alnomani, From the Department of Food and Nutrition (Abdulsalam, Alnomani), Faculty of Human Science and Design, King Abdul-Aziz University, and from the Department of Food Services (Alnomani), Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Objectives: To develop and validate a questionnaire to assess the food safety knowledge, perceptions, and practices (KPPs) of hospital food service staff (FSS) amidst the challenges of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: The questionnaire was subjected to a rigorous evaluation process, which included a literature review and focus groups comprising the general public, FSS, and key experts in food service. The pilot testing highlighted its utility and determined its content validity ratio (CVR). Results: Most items received high CVR scores of 0.96, indicating excellent content validity. A subsequent pilot study involved 40 FSS. Reliability testing, using Cronbach’s alpha value of 0.914, demonstrated good internal consistency across the questionnaire scales. The final version consisted of 115 items. Conclusion: The developed questionnaire, available in both English and Arabic, exhibits both validity and reliability. It acts as a crucial tool for healthcare facilities to assess food safety KPPs among FSS, both under regular operations and during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. This tool is adaptable to various hospital settings, aiding in the reduction of foodborne diseases risks.

Article Type

Brief Communication

First Page

98

Last Page

103

Recommended Citation

Abdulsalam, Nisreen M. and Alnomani, Hajar B. (2024) "Developing, translating, and validating a survey instrument for assessing hospital food service staff’s food safety knowledge, perceptions, and practices during the COVID-19 pandemic," Saudi Medical Journal: Vol. 45: Iss. 1, Article 16.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15537/smj.2024.45.1.20230272