THE EFFECT OF FOOD SAFETY TRAINING ON EMPLOYEES' KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, AND PRACTICES: A SOLOMON FOUR-GROUP EXPERIMENT

NCT07572149 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: 2021/799SOLOMON-KAP STUDY
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 200
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study was designed as a randomized controlled trial using a Solomon four-group experimental design to evaluate the effectiveness of a food safety training program. The study was conducted among food service employees working in municipal facilities. The Solomon four-group design was used to control for potential pretest sensitization effects while assessing the true impact of the intervention. Participants were randomly assigned to four groups using a randomization method. Each group included approximately equal numbers of participants. The intervention consisted of a face-to-face food safety training program developed based on identified needs. The training content included personal hygiene, food safety principles, and safe food preparation practices. The training sessions were delivered in structured modules. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire developed based on the literature and expert opinions. The questionnaire included sections assessing participants' knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to food safety. Pre-test and post-test assessments were conducted according to the Solomon four-group design. Data collection procedures and study implementation followed standardized protocols to ensure consistency. Participants were adults aged 18 years and older, able to communicate effectively, and voluntarily agreed to participate in the study. Ethical approval was obtained prior to the study, and all participants provided informed consent.

Conditions

Practice Randomized Controlled Trial; Solomon; Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Education; Food Handlers; Food Safety

Keywords

Food Safety; Food Handlers; Health Education; Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Randomized Controlled Trial

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Score change

  No standardized scale was used in the study. The questions in the questionnaire were developed based on expert opinions. There is no cut-off point or defined score range for the scores obtained from the questions. The questionnaire used in the study was developed by the researchers based on a literature review and consisted of five sections and 64 questions. The first section of the questionnaire (questions 1-10) included the socio-demographic characteristics of the employees; the second section (questions 11-15) included their status of receiving training on food safety; the third section (questions 16-35) assessed their knowledge about food safety; the fourth section (questions 36-45) assessed their attitudes toward food safety; and the fifth section (questions 46-64) assessed their food safety practices. For the statements in the third section, participants selected the option that best suited them from "True," "False," or "I don't know." Participants received 1 point for each que

  In the control group, the post-test was administered 8 weeks after the pre-test, while in the intervention group, the post-test was administered 8 weeks after the training was provided.

Study Arms (4)

CONTROL GROUP 1

OTHER

Pretest assessment

Other: Pretest assessment

CONTROL GROUP 2

OTHER

Other: Pretest assessment

INTERVENTION 1

EXPERIMENTAL

Food safety training program

Other: Food safety training program; Other: Pretest assessment

INTERVENTION 2

EXPERIMENTAL

Food safety training program

Other: Food safety training program

Interventions

Food safety training program OTHER

The interventions consisted of a structured face-to-face food safety training program covering personal hygiene, workplace hygiene, and safe food preparation practices.

INTERVENTION 1; INTERVENTION 2

Pretest assessment OTHER

The reminder effect of the pretest will be evaluated.

CONTROL GROUP 1; CONTROL GROUP 2; INTERVENTION 1

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Being 18 years of age or older
• Working in the food sector
• Having at least basic literacy skills

You may not qualify if:

• Refusing to participate in the study
• Having communication difficulties

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Kayseri University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Kayseri Metropolitan Municipality

Kayseri, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Behavior; Health Education

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Adherence Interventions; Medication Adherence; Patient Compliance; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Treatment Adherence and Compliance; Health Behavior

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Model Details: The Solomon four-group experimental design is an advanced research model used in experimental studies to control for the effect of pretest sensitization. It is an extended form of the traditional pretest-posttest control group design and allows researchers to determine whether the pretest itself influences participants' responses. In this design, participants are randomly assigned to four groups. The first experimental group receives a pretest, followed by the intervention and then a posttest. The second experimental group receives the intervention without a pretest and is then given a posttest. The first control group receives both a pretest and a posttest but no intervention. The second control group receives only a posttest. Comparing the results of these four groups makes it possible to distinguish the true effect of the intervention from any effects that may result from the pretest. This approach strengthens the internal validity of the study.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 10, 2026
• First Posted: May 7, 2026
• Study Start: January 1, 2023
• Primary Completion: January 15, 2023
• Study Completion: June 30, 2023
• Last Updated: May 7, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)