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- Marklinder, Ingela, et al.
(author)
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Food safety knowledge, sources thereof and self-reported behaviour among university students in Sweden
- 2020
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In: Food Control. - : Elsevier. - 0956-7135 .- 1873-7129. ; 113
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- International studies have noted shortcomings in food safety knowledge and behaviour among university students. In general students do not constitute a pronounced risk group but there are wider implications. In a foreseeable future some of them will become pregnant and a majority will be responsible for vulnerable groups in their near environment. A crucial question exists, therefore, about their food safety knowledge and safe food handling practices. The aim of this study is to investigate food safety knowledge, sources thereof and self-reported food safety behavior among university students in Sweden. A quantitative study design using a web-based questionnaire was chosen as the data collection method. The questionnaire was distributed through social media and e-mail. Among the 606 respondents from 24 Swedish universities 80% were 18-30 years and 78% were women. The average number of correct answers on the knowledge questions was 7.61 out of 12 (63.4%). The foremost source of food safety knowledge was "Family and friends" (45%). Just 21.1% reported Food safety education as a source, although 35.6% had experience of a course in food hygiene/safety and/or microbiology. Respondents who reported "Family and friends" to be the foremost food safety source of knowledge also got a significantly lower rate of correct answers. Students who estimated their food safety knowledge to be good also had more correct answers. Experience of food safety education at secondary school/university/working place/polytechnic school significantly correlated with more correct answers on the knowledge questions and indicated a safer self-reported behaviour. Those with fewer correct answers also reported more unfavourable behaviours. The present study indicates that education promotes more optimal behaviors. The authors would suggest a more systematic food safety education at younger ages.
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| 2. |
- Ehn Börjesson, Stina-Mina, 1964-, et al.
(author)
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Enterococcus spp in wastewater and in mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) exposed to wastewater wetland
- 2013
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In: International Journal of Environmental Protection. - 2226-6437. ; 3:10, s. 1-12
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In this study, twelve Mallards living in an artificial wastewater wetland were exposed to treated wastewater containing 1 x 103- 4 x 103 enterococci 100 ml-1 for a period of 55 days. Faecal samples were collected before, during and after exposure and analysed for Enterococcus spp. The isolates were phenotyped using the PhenePlateTM system. 270 Enterococcus spp. of Mallard origin were analysed, together with 116 Enterococcus spp. isolates from treated wastewater and from incoming raw wastewater. In general, the Mallard and wastewater enterococci isolates belonged to different phenotypes, although several sharing identical phenotypic profiles were found. One E. faecalis phenotype was found in Mallards before, during and after exposure to treated wastewater, as well as in raw and treated wastewater. Our results indicate that there is a common source of enterococci for Mallards and humans. We propose an increased focus on emissions of human bacteria and on systems that mediate their transfer to wild animals.
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| 3. |
- Ehn Börjesson, Stina-Mina, 1964-
(author)
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Perspectives on urban wastewater as a source of microbial pollution
- 2020
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Wastewater treatment plants are important links for dissemination of intestinal bacteria into surface waters. In this study, twelve mallards were exposed to treated wastewater for a period of 55 days. Faecal samples were collected and analysed for Enterococcus spp. and C. jejuni. In general, the mallard and wastewater enterococci isolates belonged to different phenotypes, although some strains were identical. Phenotypical characteristics of C. jejuni, including antibiotic resistance, and genetical (PFGE and MLST) patterns were compared. All STs have previously been found in both humans and wild birds. The phenotypical expression of resistance against ampicillin and cefazolin, and ability to assimilate malate and succinate, changed during the mallards exposure to wastewater. Edible clams were collected in Maputo Bay during both the dry and rainy seasons, and number of viable counts of V. parahaemolyticus peaked during the rainy season. A high percentage showed haemolytic capacity but did not carry the standard set of virulence genes. The persistence of E. faecium and E. faecalis strains in sterilized treated wastewater at 10°C and 20°C was evaluated, including if ciprofloxacin had any effect. We could conclude that E. faecalis had a lower DC10 (92 and 43 days) than E. faecium (333 and 68 days) at 10°C and 20°C, respectively. Most of the strains were unaffected of ciprofloxacin was, but there were exceptions. All strains remained culturable the whole studied period (108 days).
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