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.
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.
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