Biomedical subjects

R G Mathias

Publications and source records attributed to R G Mathias.

65 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

The evaluation of the effectiveness of routine restaurant inspections and education of food handlers: critical appraisal of the literature.

Literature databases were scanned to locate articles pertaining to food handler education and restaurant inspection. Papers which met pre-established criteria, as described in the generic protocol produced by the Community Health Practice Guidelines Project (CHPG), were evaluated by standardized consideration of criteria. Studies were rated on a scale of one to three. There were eight papers related to the intervention of education, four papers dealing with the intervention of restaurant inspection, and one pertaining to both. the evidence presented in the papers regarding the effectiveness of food handler training in improving food establishment sanitation was weak, but it appeared that some training resulted in improved inspection scores. It appeared that inspections were beneficial, although it was not clear whether three or more inspections were better than two. No inspections appeared to result in worse inspection scores.

Food Handling↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The evaluation of the effectiveness of routine restaurant inspections and education of food handlers: restaurant inspection survey.

To determine restaurant inspection and food handler education practices in Canada, a survey of 141 jurisdictions was conducted. The response rate was 100%. All jurisdictions inspected restaurants, but the frequency of routine inspection varied from none to six or more times per year. The frequency of violations found on routine inspection was associated with foodborne illness. However, the frequency of inspection was not correlated with disease or with violations. Food handler education courses were mandatory in 32% of jurisdictions. Most courses were one to two days. No correlation was found between the numbers of individuals trained in the past year and violations or reported foodborne disease. This lack of reduction in reported foodborne illness may be due to the ecological nature of the survey or to the lack of effectiveness of food handler education or of routine restaurant inspections in reducing violations.

Canada↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Routine restaurant inspections and education of food handlers: recommendations based on critical appraisal of the literature and survey of Canadian jurisdictions on restaurant inspections and education of food handlers.

Inspection of restaurants and education of food handlers are two methods used by regulatory agencies to ensure food served in restaurants is safe to eat. The variation which exists in the implementation of these programs suggests that the programs' effectiveness is lacking or is not clear. Recommendations based on the Community Health Practice Guideline methodology, the results of a critical review of the literature, the results of a survey of practices, and expert opinion were developed. The recommendations include: continuation of routine inspections at a frequency of one to two inspections per year per restaurant and the continuation of education programs. The evidence on which these recommendations are based is scant and more research is needed to ensure programs are needed, effective and efficient.

Canada↗

PubMedDate not supplied

An approach to the development of practice guidelines for community health interventions.

The Community Health Practice Guidelines (CHPG) project was initiated to develop a systematic approach to the critical evaluation of evidence on the effectiveness and efficiency of community health interventions and to the formulation of evidence-based practice recommendations. Three community health interventions--immunization delivery methods, partner notification for sexually transmitted diseases and the combination of restaurant inspection and education of food handlers--were used as prototypes to develop a standardized approach. The CHPG process consists of three components: a review of scientific evidence, a practice survey and formulation of practice guidelines. Imperatives for further development of the CHPG and define research priorities process include creating a coalition of public health organizations to sponsor the process and refining the consensus process so that the practice guidelines accurately reflect both the scientific basis of public health practice and the values of those affected.

Canada↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Changes in university students' AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviours, 1988 and 1992.

We evaluated changes in AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviours among students in residence at the University of British Columbia based on identical surveys conducted in 1988 and 1992. 493 randomly selected students in each year were sent a self-administered questionnaire on AIDS-related knowledge, fear of AIDS, homophobia, sexual behaviours, and intravenous drug use. AIDS-related knowledge was very high and increasing (p < 0.01) among respondents. Fear of AIDS and homophobia were low in both years. Intravenous drug use was reported by only one student in each year. Sexual activity was reported by 62% of students overall, with 25% of these reporting multiple sexual partners in the previous six months. 23% of sexually active students in 1988 and 40% in 1992 reported usually or always using condoms during intercourse. In spite of high levels of AIDS-related knowledge, a large, although decreasing, proportion of students have multiple partners without barrier protection. Nevertheless, the consistent presentation of the same public health message over several years is associated with substantial improvement in condom use.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A swimming pool-associated outbreak of Cryptosporidiosis in British Columbia.

An outbreak of Cryptosporidiosis occurred over three months in a British Columbia community, peaking in December 1990. Results of the case-control study and illness surveys support the hypothesis that transmission occurred in a public children's pool at the local recreation centre. Analysis using lab-confirmed cases revealed a matched odds ratio of 4.5 [95% CI 0.97, 20.83], and using clinical cases an unmatched odds ratio of 12.8 [95% CI 3.68, 46.77], associated with swimming in the children's pool within two weeks prior to onset of illness. Other risk factors were not significant. Attack rates in various groups of children's pool users ranged from 8% to 78%. The children's pool was closed for steam cleaning and disinfection. Unusually frequent defecations including liquid stools had occurred before and during the outbreak. Improvements were instituted for removal of feces and superchlorination of pool water.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied