MIDWIFERY STUDENTS KNOWLEDGE AND OPINIONS ABOUT CHEMICAL FOOD CONTAMINANTS

Abstract

Midwives play a key role in raising the society awareness of food contamination and related health risks and steps to be taken to prevent these risks. This study was conducted to determine midwifery students knowledge levels of chemical food contaminants because they will provide community with counseling on nutrition after graduation. This descriptive study was conducted with midwifery students in a university. No sample was selected: 212 students agreeing to participate in were enrolled. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a questionnaire developed through a literature review. Data were analysed with the Pearson chi-square test using the SPSS 22.0. P-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. According to the students statements, 34.9% had enough knowledge about chemical food contaminants, 46.7% knew what to do to prevent exposure to chemical food contaminants, 60.4% obtained the information from the social media, 55.7% knew the effects of mercury on health and 60.8% knew the effects of hormones on health. They also knew sources from which mercury, lead, aluminum, zinc and hormones pass into food. However, a great majority of them were not knowledgeable about the effects of other contaminants on health. The study results demonstrated that the participating midwifery students knowledge of chemical food contaminants was not enough.