Food safety and Ontario high school students: assessing education needs and the utility of existing food handler training in improving behaviours

Foodborne disease poses a significant risk to Canadians, with substantial health and economic burdens. In response, education is a common strategy used to increase food safety knowledge and promote safe food handling behaviours. Although youth are considered an important population for food safety education, the specific needs of high school students, and the ability of food safety education to improve food handling behaviours, are unknown. Thus, this thesis explored: (1) food safety education needs of high school students in Ontario; (2) the suitability of the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s (MOHLTC’s) Provincial Food Handler Training program for meeting identified education needs; and (3) whether students’ food handling behaviours changed following delivery of the MOHLTC’s program. These objectives were addressed predominantly via two studies with findings reported in four manuscripts. To explore students’ food safety education needs, key informant interviews with 20 food safety and education experts were conducted. Transcripts of the audio-recorded interviews were analysed inductively, uncovering the nuanced food safety needs of students. High school was identified as an ideal time to instil safe food handling habits to meet students’ personal needs and help reduce the burden of foodborne disease. Experts also agreed that students generally need the same food safety education content as other demographic groups, but stressed the importance of focussing on students’ own common food handling experiences, including: the use of microwaves for reheating and cooking; consumption of convenience meals; school events; transportation of food for lunches, school trips and sporting events; and food allergen awareness. These findings demonstrate that food safety education is important for high school students, and suggest that existing food safety education material may be suitable for such education efforts. To assess whether the MOHLTC program could meet the education needs of high school students, the program’s content was mapped against food safety education needs identified by the key informant experts, and relevant objectives of the Ontario high school curriculum. All the education needs identified by the experts were met, except one: preventing injuries during food preparation. Injury prevention, classified under kitchen safety, is not typically included in food safety education, but is an important consideration for youth given their inexperience with food preparation and cooking. All relevant food safety objectives from the high school curriculum were covered by the MOHLTC material. Thus, the MOHTLC’s program appears suitable for meeting the identified food safety education needs of Ontario high school students. To evaluate whether safe food handling behaviours changed following delivery of the MOHLTC’s program, a repeated measures study was conducted with students (n=119) from four Ontario high schools. Students were observed preparing meals at three times during a semester: prior to receiving the food safety education, within two weeks post-education, and approximately three months later at the end of the semester. Prior to receiving the education, on average students only engaged in half of the observed safe food handling behaviours. Post-education, all behaviour scores increased significantly ~2 weeks post intervention and remained unchanged ~3 months later. However, students continued to perform risky behaviours post-education, suggesting that a risk of foodborne disease remained. Future consideration of how psychosocial factors influence behaviours and norms, and how changes in food handling behaviours translates to actual risk of foodborne disease, is needed. This thesis demonstrates – for the first time – the importance of food safety education for high school students, and provides evidence that delivering an existing food handler training program within high school food and nutrition classes may be a feasible way to meet students’ education needs and improve their safe food handling behaviours

Integration, exclusion, or something in between? A study of Zimbabwean migrants in Gugulethu, Cape Town

Magister Artium - MA (Anthropology/Sociology)According to migrant research in South Africa, after the advent of democracy in South Africa, in 1994, the country has received an influx of foreign migrants, more especially from the African continent. However, much focus has been on the negative outcomes of the host community and its relationship with immigrants. Recent immigration research labelled South Africa as a xenophobic nation, and much emphasis on xenophobia was in Black South African townships. Although townships in South Africa are widely known for their hostile attitudes towards African nationals, in recent years, townships like Gugulethu have become homes for many African immigrants. This study investigates the integration of foreign migrants into the South African community: a case of Zimbabweans living in Gugulethu, Cape Town. Qualitative research methods' adopting an in-depth interpretation of the findings was used to answer the research question posed by this study. The research question posed by this study is, in the absence of a strategic plan to integrate African foreign nationals into South Africa society, how do African migrants living in Gugulethu use their social capital to integrate themselves into the local community, which is widely regarded as xenophobic? Qualitative data was collected through in-depth interviews and observations and data was analysed according to the research questions by making codes and themes. In addition, the number of study participants was 30 people; 25 Zimbabwean immigrants and for comparative purposes 2 Ugandan immigrants and 3 local South Africans were also included. Both convenience and snowballing sampling techniques were used. The study found that despite the challenges faced by migrants in their host community, these migrants used their social capital in the form of social networks to integrate themselves into the host community

An investigation of the integration of foreign migrants into South African community: A case of Zimbabweans living in Luyoloville and New Rest in Gugulethu, Cape Town

Magister Artium - MAAccording to migrant research in South Africa, after the advent of democracy in South Africa, in 1994, the country has received an influx of foreign migrants, more especially from the African continent. However, much focus has been on the negative outcomes of the host community and its relationship with immigrants. Recent immigration research labelled South Africa as a xenophobic nation, and much emphasis on xenophobia was in Black South African townships. Although townships in South Africa are widely known for their hostile attitudes towards African nationals, in recent years, townships like Gugulethu have become homes for many African immigrants. This study investigates the integration of foreign migrants into the South African community: a case of Zimbabweans living in Gugulethu, Cape Town. Qualitative research methods’ adopting an in-depth interpretation of the findings was used to answer the research question posed by this study. The research question posed by this study is, in the absence of a strategic plan to integrate African foreign nationals into South Africa society, how do African migrants living in Gugulethu use their social capital to integrate themselves into the local community, which is widely regarded as xenophobic? Qualitative data was collected through in-depth interviews and observations and data was analysed according to the research questions by making codes and themes. In addition, the number of study participants was 30 people; 25 Zimbabwean immigrants and for comparative purposes 2 Ugandan immigrants and 3 local South Africans were also included. Both convenience and snowballing sampling techniques were used. The study found that despite the challenges faced by migrants in their host community, these migrants used their social capital in the form of social networks to integrate themselves into the host communit

Tuna Fisheries in the Federated States of Micronesia, 1979-90

The management of tuna fisheries in the Federated States of Micronesia since independence in 1979 is reviewed, noting the development, seasonality, and geographic range of the fisheries. The status of stocks, including trends in catch per unit effort and the approach to setting harvest levels for the major species, are also reviewed. Future developments and management aims are discussed

A Five-Week Mindfulness Program for Emerging Adults Experiencing Anxious and/or Depressive Symptoms

Emerging adulthood is the highest risk period for developing mental health issues compared to other periods across the lifespan. Despite this high risk, emerging adults (EAs) experience especially long wait-times for mental health services. Therefore, preventative, evidence-based treatment is needed to enhance coping among EAs. Recent studies suggest a beneficial role for brief mindfulness-based interventions (bMBI) in addressing mental health symptom burden. High-quality research is needed to demonstrate whether bMBIs can provide efficacious treatment to improve the lives of EAs. The current study tested the efficacy of a five-week bMBI baseline within-subject controlled trial. The results of this preliminary analysis indicated that this bMBI was 1) effective in improving psychological distress and wellbeing outcomes and maintaining these improvements one-month following, and 2) that high pre-intervention self-compassion influenced primary outcomes. The current findings lend support for an efficacious preventative strategy and provide direction for increased services n post-secondary education