Raising Awareness on Food Poisoning Among Children Riyadh

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Goals and Objectives
Selection of strategy
Conclusion
References

Introduction

Different countries face different health challenges and problems that require concerted efforts to address them. However, most health challenges for instance diseases such as HIV/Aids and Malaria and problems like child mortality and maternal care are of global scale and importance (Hassan et al., 1998, P. 2). Compared to the above named health problems, conditions such as food poisoning don’t draw a lot of concern. This is despite the fact that food poisoning is an important health challenge that kills thousands of people annually besides making individuals and authorities incur huge medical bills. Many countries from Europe, Asia, Africa and America experience this problem in different proportions (Jones et al. 2002, p. 67). One of the countries that this paper will focus on and where food poisoning is very prevalent is Saudi Arabia.

Project overview

Food poisoning has become a worldwide health concern. It occurs when a person ingests foods with toxic chemicals, food that is contaminated with chemicals such as pesticides and heavy metals such as lead and mercury and ingestion of food that is contaminated with pathogens such as viruses and bacteria (SC, 1997, p. 54). Food poisoning is only second to respiratory diseases as the leading cause of adult deaths in the world and a leading cause of child mortality globally (Hobbs et al 1978, p. 23).

The leading causative pathogen of food poisoning in Saudi Arabia like in many countries is Salmonella Species. Besides Salmonella, Escherichia Coli is also becoming increasingly linked to food poisoning in Saudi Arabia (Bower, 1999, p. 30). Food poisoning instances in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia peaks in the months during the summer when the Hajj season is going on. These causative agents are mainly passed through meat and chicken products in the cities that host pilgrims after their trip to Mecca (Mead, 1999, p. 16). Riyadh being both the commercial and administrative capital is home to many activities that involve food handling (Parry, 2003, p. 49). As such, it receives the bulk of food poisoning cases in KSA.

Despite the fact that food poisoning affects people of all ages, the fact that children form a big chunk of the affected has been overlooked by a lot of works of research (Shewmake, 1998, p. 53). Children are especially vulnerable given their lack of knowledge on causes of diseases and susceptibility due to the above pointed ignorance (turkington, 2009, p. 144). Alongside the many curative health measures that have been put in place by authorities to address food poisoning cases among children, there have also been programs mostly educational that have been put in place in order to raise awareness among these schoolchildren especially those aged 8-15 years (LIRS, 2006, p. 109).

The main aim is to raise awareness among this group by 40% within a period of three years in Riyadh Saudi Arabia. Measurement of the success of this project will be done through the assessment of whether the goals of this project have been met. Parameters to determine if awareness has been raised will be set at the beginning and assessment will be done in a continuous basis. If the targets are achieved, food poisoning cases will be reduced by the same margin potentially lowering fatalities brought by the condition.

Goals and Objectives

Main Goal

The main goal as stated earlier is to raise awareness of food poisoning in Riyadh Saudi Arabia by 40%. Effectively, infection cases are expected to reduce, which forms the second objective.

Purpose of the project

Raising awareness on food poisoning among schoolchildren aged 8-15 in Riyadh Saudi Arabia within three years.

Project objectives

Objective 1

Increasing knowledge on food poisoning among schoolchildren aged 8-15 in Riyadh over a period of three years. Knowledgeable children will be very much aware of the dangers posed by food poisoning and will be in a better position to take the necessary measures (Feldman et al 2005, p 23).

Objective 2

Training parents and guardians on food poisoning in selected areas in the city of Riyadh Saudi Arabia

Objective 3

To reduce the cases of food poisoning among children aged 8-15 by 40% in Riyadh Saudi Arabia

Objective 4

To increase the number of children who have access to information on food poisoning in Riyadh

Objective 5

To increase availability of food poisoning information among the target group

Selection of strategy

In KSA, food poisoning incidents are rarely reported. Many of the cases that get reported occur during the summer months of June to August which falls on the summer holidays for school children (Deckelbaum, 2009, p. 432). This is the time when they are most vulnerable to food poisoning. During this time, many families spend their time mainly out of their homes and most foods are obtained from fast food restaurants, canteens and other food joints. According to Nnakwe (2009, p. 189) increased demand for food put pressure on the supply forcing food preparation to be done sometimes under unhygienic conditions. Additionally, the hot climate under which the food is prepared increases their chances of contamination (Parnes, 2004, p. 53). This is the time when adult care and food poisoning awareness among children is needed most (Manas, 2005, p.13).

Besides, children access food from food joints with inadequate storage facilities, and food that is cross contaminated with raw ingredients.

Objective 1 Strategy

Many children consume contaminated food due to ignorance on the dangers associated with such foods (Williams, 2008, p. 132). Lack of information is to blame for the non awareness displayed by these children. If equipped with knowledge, these children will be in a better position to make informed choices about safe food (Chandran & Kilara, 2011, p. 257).

Knowledge will be availed through educational lessons that will take place in schools in Riyadh. Efforts will be made to avail presentations in schools during official class hours to ensure maximum number of children receive the information. Furthermore, information booklets containing the do’s and don’ts to avoid food poisoning will be supplied to the participating schools in Riyadh. Additionally, posters with simple and understandable information will be pasted in all participating school notice boards for the children to read. The above efforts are aimed at increasing the knowledge base of the children so that they can be aware on what to do to avoid food poisoning.

The strategies will be carried through formal education and campaign.

Objective 2 Strategy

Though parents are supposed to be the guardians of children who impart social norms concerning children, some don’t have enough information about conditions such as food poisoning (Ham, 2009, p. 78). Parents in other households may be carrying out practices that may be unhygienic effectively increasing their children’s chances of food poisoning. Furthermore, other parents may not have enough information about the city’s dubious sources of food and the dangers that children are exposed to when they obtain food from such sources (Metcalfe, 2009, p. 56).

Parents will be educated through public forums such as seminars, media adverts and literature and advice from health centres. Parents will be educated on food safety practices that lessen the risk of food poisoning. They will also be enlightened on the various risks associated with buying food from uncertified food vendors and how to identify foods that are prepared in unhygienic conditions.

The strategy will involve education and community organization.

Objective 3 Strategy

Food poisoning cases among children occur in Riyadh frequently. Children consume contaminated food knowingly or unknowingly (Williams, 2009, p. 67). In both cases, ignorance plays a big role. Increasing awareness therefore will reduce ignorance which in turn will lead to decreased food poisoning cases among children in Riyadh (Ronzio, 2009, p. 143). The strategies that are used in objective one and two will be employed to ensure objective three is achieved.

Children will also be given information on the sources of food that don’t meet set health standards. Like the parents, they will also be taught on ways to identify food that is likely to cause food poisoning. Careful monitoring of the children will be done through social work volunteers and medics. The strategy described above will not be an easy one to implement. The volunteers will need to be dedicated and motivated for it to succeed. Additionally, it will succeed subject to availability of funds from donors and the government. The strategy in the long-run will aim at the internalization of food poisoning information by children in the target group.

Objective 4 Strategy

A good number of children in Riyadh don’t have access to information on the appropriate ways of preventing food poisoning (CDC, 2006, p.23). Furthermore, when children learn from some of their parents who don’t have the right information about food poisoning, it produces a ripple effect of incorrect information among children which increases their chances of getting infected. Increasing the number of children with the correct information about food poisoning will therefore have a lasting impact on in controlling food poisoning cases (CDC, 2007, p. 21). The strategy will focus on enrolling as many schools as possible in the larger Riyadh area to reach the areas not yet covered. Additionally, there will be fun events and campaigns aimed at appealing and attracting children who fall in the target group. Participants will be educated on predetermined dimensions on food poisoning. There will also be campaigns mainly carried out through media that children can easily access eg video games. The main strategy here will be the campaigns that will aim to show up information among children who for one reason or another don’t have access to that information. Impromptu surveys will be used to assess the extent to which children have received the information.

Objective 5 Strategy

Increasing the number of children who access information on food poisoning will be good step forward (Fieldman, 2005, p. 48). The amount of information however in the public domain will also determine the efficiency and success of the food poisoning initiatives (Karalis, 2000, p. 109). Plenty of information will be availed to children ensuring every targeted child access enough. Scanty information may not be suited for everyone considering the differences that exist among human beings. Information will be increased through educational seminars, media campaigns, home visitations and printed materials that will be available in schools, hospitals and public places frequented by children. It’s hoped that the information will reach children directly through reading and indirectly through parents and guardians.

	Project description	Performance Indicators	Means of Verification	Assumptions
Goal	To increase food poisoning awareness in Riyadh Saudi Arabia by 40% in 3 years among children aged 8-15 years.	Raised awareness will be indicated by the reduced cases of food poisoning among the targeted group.	Examining medical records from health facilities. An analysis will be carried out to determine the trend and if there are any indicators regarding rising awareness.	Support from schools and parents Support from Riyadh City authorities Availability of funds from the city and central government authorities Participation of the involved community
Purpose	This project aims at increasing awareness about food poisoning among school children aged 8-15 in a span of three years.	Food poisoning cases among children of the target group in Riyadh before and after completion of the project	Occasional but regular assessment of food poisoning rates among children in the target group. School and medical records will be analysed to come up with verifiable empirical information.	The date from hospitals and other health facilities on food poisoning among children is accurate Guaranteed community participation in Riyadh Support from educational facilities where children attend Willingness of the children in the target group to participate in the study
Objective 1	Increasing knowledge on food poisoning among school children aged 8-15 in Riyadh over a period of three years. Knowledgeable children will be very much aware of the dangers posed by food poisoning and will be in a better position to take the necessary measures.	The number of children from the target population seeking treatment on food poisoning Changes in the lifestyles of children in the target in an effort to avoid food poisoning	Assessment of the knowledge levels among school children in Riyadh on food poisoning Observation of the food habits of children aged 8-15 in Riyadh to determine of the information is put to use. This will be done through a random survey and observation among the participating population of children	Children will be willing to abandon food habits that are likely to put them in danger of food poisoning Parents will be willing to acknowledge that some of the food habits they practice increase chances of food poisoning Increased information will help in reducing food poisoning cases among children There will be overwhelming willingness among children and other stakeholders to participate in the project
Objective 2	Training parents and guardians on food poisoning in selected areas in the city of Riyadh Saudi Arabia	Number of parents and guardians that are willing and those that come forward to participate in the training seminars about food poisoning in children	Attendance levels of parents in the food poisoning training meetings in Riyadh Survey study on will be carried out on the level of incorporation of food poisoning measures that are learnt at the parent and guardian training seminars	Parents are willing to participate in the food poisoning awareness Parents participation will be crucial in raising awareness on food poisoning among children Parents have more far reaching impact on their children than other stakeholders
Objective 3	To reduce the cases of food poisoning among children aged 8-15 by 40% in Riyadh Saudi Arabia	Reduced cases of food poisoning reported at the health Reduced cases of food poisoning as reported by parents	Analysing data from health facilities on cases of food poisoning among the target group Surveying households and education institutions to determine the rate of occurrence of food poisoning cases to come up with data food poisoning cases and the levels of reduction. Comparing the above data with what it used be at the beginning of the project to determine if there is any positive changes	Children will positively take the food poisoning message and apply it in their daily lives Children and other stakeholders will be willing to participate and put to use the information learnt in the course of the project
Objective 4	Increase the number of children who have access to food poisoning information in Riyadh Saudi Arabia	Reduced cases of food poisoning among children in the target group More schools incorporation of more schools into the program	A survey to determine the net gain in the number of children who have benefited from the food poisoning project The survey will be carried out through interviews on children	Children will be willing to learn and participate in the project Schools will be willing to cooperate on all fronts to have their children participate in the program Parents will be willing to participate in the program Authorities will be willing to participate in the program
Objective 5	Increasing food poisoning information among children in the target group in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia	Availability of food poisoning informational materials in the places frequented by children Availability of food poisoning information materials in residential places and children healthcare facilities Availability of food poisoning information materials in all activities that children in the target group engage in	Assessment on the level of knowledge children in the target group have in terms of food poisoning through a survey study on the target population Survey on the presence of informational materials in the places frequented by children in the city Survey on the availability of the informational materials in school and homes of children in the target group	Children will be able to read the information materials availed to them Materials will be written in a simple manner that children will find easy to read and understand Children will be willing to read the materials availed to them in the course of the project
Outputs 1	Increasing knowledge on food poisoning among children aged 8-15 School based teaching on food poisoning Over 80% will get the required knowledge through the formal education system since majority are within the school going age	The number of children who would have received food poisoning information through school teaching	Assessment of attendance through examination of school data records Analysis of short tests children will be taking on food poisoning	Willingness of children to learn about food poisoning Children will grasp all the concepts on food poisoning that they will be taught
Outputs 1	Food poisoning health drills with prizes to be won The program will help over 50% of the targeted group in Riyadh going by the figures of children involved in fun activities in Riyadh	Interest and participation by children in the target group	Surveying through registers the turnout and attendance by children from the target group.	Children will be attracted and motivated through by the availability of prizes and gifts
Outputs 2	Training of parents and guardians on food poisoning in Riyadh Saudi Arabia 2.1 home based training of parents and guardians Over 70% of parents will be targeted in their homes and offices through visitations by healthcare professionals	The number of parents and guardians willing to participate in the programs from home or places of their work	Studies and survey studies on the level of implementation of the food safety concepts at home as learnt by the parents	Parents will be willing to participate in the program at home and at work Parents recognise the importance of food poisoning knowledge among children
Outputs 2	2.2 availing of printed information meant for parents in various homes and public places The program is projected to avail information to almost 80% of people who will be visited and who visit public and private offices in the city	Number of parents and other people who will be interested in taking acquiring the public information on food poisoning	Survey on the uptake and consumption of food poisoning information that is available in the public domain through random studies and interviews	Majority of parents are literate and can easily read the information available in the materials Authorities will support the printing and distribution of the materials
Output 3	Reduction of cases of food poisoning among children in Riyadh by 40% 3.1 careful monitoring of the food habits of the children in the target group 75% of current cases of food poisoning will need to be eliminated to ensure the cases drop by 40%	Reduced number of reported cases of food poisoning among the target group at home, schools and the health facilities	Analysis of health facilities documents on the reduction cases of food poisoning that are reported Survey on homes to determine through interviews the frequency of occurrence of food poisoning cases	Both children and parents have internalised the information given during the trainings to help in reducing the number of cases of food poisoning
Output 4	Increase number of children who have access to food poisoning information in Riyadh Saudi Arabia 4.1 implementation of the food poisoning information in all public and private schools in Riyadh	Reduction of cases of food poisoning among the target group in Riyadh. Enrolment of more schools to the program	Permitted inspections to school teaching databases determine if the schools are offering the proposed information through the regular curriculum Impromptu interview survey on children to determine the level of access of the information	Schools will cooperate and help implementing programs that promote availability of information All children will be willing to participate in the program
Output 5	Increasing food poisoning information among children in the target group 5.1 carrying out information campaigns through activities suited for every child	Level of circulation of food poisoning materials and popularity of the campaigns	An audit on the penetration of the food poisoning information availed through the campaigns and educational ventures. This will be done through surveys on the target population	Availability of plentiful information will increase awareness among the target group Children will be willing to participate in the available events
	Project Description	Inputs	Means of Verification	Assumptions
Activities 1	1.1 Increasing Knowledge on food Poisoning among children 1.1.1 put poster in school notice boards where children can access the information easily 1.1.2 provide information booklets on food poisoning to children in the target group 1.1.3 launch food poisoning lessons in classrooms	1.1.1 Willing teachers, and volunteers 1.1.2 Stationery and photocopiers for printing 1.1.3 Willing teachers	1.1.1 Inspection tour in schools 1.1.2Examination of the booklets distributed 1.1.2 Contractual agreements with the willing teachers	There will be availability of volunteers to carry out the activities Availability of funds for printing and payments
Activities 2	2.1 Training of parents and guardians on food poisoning 2.1.1 home visitations by healthcare professionals and volunteers 2.1.2 Convening of seminars and training workshops 2.1.3Food poisoning literature	2.1.1 willing healthcare professionals and volunteers 2.1.2 training venues and trainers 2.1.3 printing materials and funds	2.1.1 availability of home training manuals 2.1.2 inspection of training venues 2.1.3 actual literature materials	Parents will be willing to create time for the seminars Volunteers will be available to help in implementing the program Funds will be available to cater for the expenses
Activities 3	3.1 Reduction of food poisoning cases among children 3.1.1 careful observation of children in the target group	3.1.1 Volunteers and teachers	3.1.1 volunteers and teachers	Children will be willing to be guided on the do’s and don’ts of avoiding food poisoning Careful examination and guidance will help children adopt good habits in the long run
Activities 4	4.1 Increase the number of children with access to information on food poisoning 4.1.1 enrolling as many schools as possible to the food poisoning information program 4.1.2 investigating and covering areas never covered before	4.1.1 volunteers to travel around the city to carry out the enrolment 4.1.2 project officers to lead the investigations	4.1.1 availability of volunteers 4.1.1 funds to help in logistical support of the volunteer activities	Availability of funds Availability of skilled project officers Availability of volunteers
Activities 5	5.1 Increasing food poisoning information among children in the target group 5.1.1 printing and availing information on food poisoning in schools and homes	5.1.1 photocopiers and printing machines 5.1.2 Volunteers to distribute the information	5.1.1 information booklets and posters 5.1.2 volunteers and project managers	Availability of funds Availability of the skilled labour needed for the project

Conclusion

It’s important to note that different situations need different measures as far as mitigation measures are concerned. The plan described above is meant to be used in Riyadh Saudi Arabia. Whether it can be implemented in another area of the country is subject to discussion. This is because every area’s problems are unique and will need unique solutions.

Emphasis has been put on the strategies and ways of improving flow and access to information so that children aged 8-15 can have their awareness on food poisoning raised. Most of the strategies involve educational efforts that can only be achieved through team efforts, a point that has been thoroughly stressed on.

For the achievement of the anticipated success, there will be need for a constant flow of resources. Availability of resources will ensure implementation of projects in time while volunteers and other personnel involved will be paid their stipend for motivation. Given the magnitude of the project it will be imperative if both the government and private donors collaborate to avail the required resources. Success of the project will be for the long term success of KSA’s health objectives.

References

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