(P28-015-23) Changing Behaviors: Educational Food Safety Intervention for Cancer Patients Receiving Treatment

Objectives: This study aims to test the efficacy of a targeted intervention, designed specifically for cancer patients in a Midwestern metropolitan area, based on a previous study highlighting gaps in patient knowledge, behaviors, and focus group findings on acceptance and preference.

Methods: A food safety educational program focused on the shortcomings in patient knowledge was designed based on the Health Belief Model.  In a cross-sectional study with Midwestern metropolitan hospital patients, validated questionnaires were used to assess patient food safety risk perception, knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and self-efficacy before and after the intervention, and at five weeks long-term follow-up.

Results: Cancer patients (n=115) attitudes towards food safety improved overall from pre- to post-intervention (Z=-2.248; p=0.025), however, there no overall long-term improvement was recorded (Z=-0.214; p=0.830).  Patients’ interest in using a meat thermometer (pre=53.9%; follow-up=65.7%) and cooking eggs safely (pre=60%; follow-up=86.8%) improved. Self-efficacy among the patients (Z=-5.601; p < 0.001) and their intent to adopt food safety behaviors (Z=-5.558; p < 0.001) improved after the intervention, however, changes in reported behaviors were not detected (Z=-0.16; p=0.987).  All participants agreed that food safety knowledge was practical and beneficial to their lifestyle (100%, n=103) and most were interested in applying the information to their daily life (88.3%, n=91).

Conclusions: A single exposure to specifically targeted food safety education administered during the cancer treatment was effective in increasing the awareness, improving the attitudes and self-efficacy of the patients. Additional ques to action are necessary to facilitate long-term behavior change.

Funding Sources: OSU OARDC Hatch funds were used to conduct this study.