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PubMed2004

Can a brief video intervention improve breast cancer clinical trial knowledge and beliefs?

A total of 262 women in the USA (161 breast cancer survivors and 101 controls) were exposed to a video vignette using modeling in which a physician discussed the concept of a clinical trial (CT) with a woman who was in the process of making a treatment decision. A pretest-post-test design was used and improvements in clinical trial knowledge and beliefs were assessed. Results indicate that video modeling is a powerful tool for increasing CT knowledge (pretest mean=41.5% correct, post-test mean=77.5% correct) but not for improving CT beliefs. Increased clinical trial knowledge, as measured by change scores, was associated with white race, lower levels of education and pretest breast cancer knowledge, more negative pretest CT beliefs, and a higher estimate of the lifetime probability that a woman will have breast cancer. When pretest CT knowledge was added to the analysis using hierarchical multiple regression, all variables except white race became nonsignificant; an increase in CT knowledge was associated with having lower pretest CT knowledge. Results indicate that the effects of low education, low breast cancer knowledge, and biased probability assessment were mediated through the pretest score. An increase in post-test positive CT beliefs was associated with older age, thinking about breast cancer less often, and having lower pretest CT knowledge in the total sample. When pretest CT beliefs was added to the analysis using hierarchical multiple regression, all other variables became nonsignificant; an increase in CT beliefs was associated with having lower pretest CT beliefs, again indicating mediation of the effects of other variables.

Anxiety↗

PubMed2003

Development of the obstructive sleep apnea knowledge and attitudes (OSAKA) questionnaire.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To develop and validate a questionnaire that assesses physicians' knowledge and attitudes about obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): the Obstructive Sleep Apnea Knowledge and Attitudes (OSAKA) questionnaire. DESIGN: Questionnaire study. SETTING: Physicians associated with the Washington University Physicians Network. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty physicians in the pilot testing and 115 physicians in the final testing of the instrument. INTERVENTIONS: Physicians completed the OSAKA questionnaire containing sections regarding knowledge about OSA (18 items), attitudes about OSA (five items), and demographics of the study participants. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Knowledge scores ranged from 0 to 18 (mean+/-SD=13.3+/-2.8). Individual knowledge items did not differ significantly by gender or by whether or not respondents had completed subspecialty training. The five attitude items were significantly correlated with one another. Knowledge scores correlated with the 5-item attitude scale. There was a negative correlation between age and knowledge (r=-0.368, P<0.001) and between age and the single attitude item pertaining to physicians' confidence in managing patients with OSA (r=-0.198, P=0.036); thus, the older the respondent, the lower the knowledge score and the less confident they were in managing patients with OSA. CONCLUSIONS: The OSAKA appears to be a useful instrument to measure physicians' knowledge about OSA, their views on its importance as a clinical disorder, and their confidence in identifying and managing patients with this disorder.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Pressure area care: an exploration of Greek nurses' knowledge and practice.

BACKGROUND: Despite a plethora of information on the prevention of pressure sores, they remain a significant problem in both hospital and community settings. The need to reduce the incidence of pressure sores has been well documented; unfortunately there is little evidence to suggest improvement. The reasons for this lack of improvement have been explored, but the picture remains unclear. While some studies have suggested that nurses have the appropriate knowledge to prevent pressure sores developing (but do not use their knowledge), others suggest that nurses' knowledge of preventive strategies is deficient. In Greece, similarly to the United Kingdom (UK), the incidence of pressure sores is high. There is currently no evidence on Greek nurses' knowledge and practice and therefore no baseline on which to build, in terms of improving practice. AIM: The purpose of this study was to explore Greek nurses' knowledge of 'risk factors', 'areas at risk' and 'recommended preventive strategies' in relation to pressure area care. In addition, information was sought on nurses' 'current preventive practice' and any barriers to 'good practice'. RESEARCH METHODS: The study was exploratory and descriptive, adopting a cross-sectional survey approach. The sample was drawn from the population of nurses working in a military hospital near Athens. The data were collected over a 4-week period in June 2000, using a self-completed questionnaire. RESULTS: Although the knowledge-base of many of the nurses was good in relation to 'risk factors' and 'areas at risk', a significant proportion were unaware that methods such as 'massage' and 'donuts' are no longer recommended. This lack of knowledge influenced practice with these methods commonly being used. In relation to barriers to good practice, a significant proportion of nurses reported that they could not access, read or understand research findings. This has obvious implications for the implementation of evidence-based practice. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that the knowledge and practice of participants could be improved. It is of particular concern that methods known to be detrimental were in common use. Finally, there is a need to improve the research skills of Greek nurses in order to provide them with the appropriate knowledge to use research findings.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

A typology of knowledge for district nursing assessment practice.

BACKGROUND: This paper reports on part of a larger study, the aim of which was to explore the nature of knowledge required by district nurses (DNs) to carry out first assessment visits, and the relationship of this to the decisions they make. Assessment of need is a key and complex component of the DN role. To date, there has been limited exploration of the knowledge underpinning needs assessment in district nursing practice. AIM: The aim of this paper is to identify and categorize the knowledge in use by DNs undertaking first assessment visits, by presenting it in the form of the typology of knowledge which emerged from the study. METHODS: The study used a qualitative, ethnographic design. Eleven DNs were observed undertaking first assessment visits and interviewed twice: following the observed visit and 1 year later, after preliminary data analysis had been undertaken. Approaches to analysis were data driven, and constructing the typology involved uncovering and linking what the DN was seeing, asking and doing. Data were collected during 1997 and 1998. FINDINGS: The findings revealed a breadth and depth of community nursing knowledge that seemed to incorporate an amalgam of theoretical (knowing that) and practice-based (knowing how) knowledge. The findings depict the range and scope of the knowledge in use by the DNs, and challenge the utility of theoretical models that remove knowledge from the context in which it is used and applied. CONCLUSION: The findings presented here provide fresh insight into the 'know-how' of district nursing assessment practice. Whilst the typology requires further testing and refinement in order to enhance understanding of practice, it conceptualizes aspects of district nursing assessment knowledge and addresses the current lack of underpinning principles in district nursing practice.

Clinical Competence↗

PubMed1999

Does parental breastfeeding knowledge increase breastfeeding rates?

OBJECTIVE: Although improving mothers' knowledge about breastfeeding can increase rates and duration of breastfeeding, little is known about the influence of fathers' knowledge. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge of mothers and fathers about breastfeeding before and after receiving postpartum advice and its relationship to the frequency of breastfeeding. METHODS: A clinical trial was performed with mothers and fathers of normal children born at the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil, between July 1994 and March 1995. The study intervention consisted of postpartum advice supplied by means of a video film discussing basic topics of breastfeeding, an explanatory leaflet, and open discussion after viewing the video. The first 208 couples comprised the control group, the next 197 comprised experimental group 1, and the remaining 196 comprised experimental group 2. Immediately after delivery, mothers and fathers in the three groups answered a test on breastfeeding knowledge; they completed the same test at the end of the first month. All families received home visits at the end of the first, second, fourth, and sixth months, or until breastfeeding ceased. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between the mothers' and fathers' knowledge and frequency of breastfeeding. RESULTS: Postpartum advice increased the breastfeeding knowledge of mothers and fathers. The mothers with the highest level of knowledge had a 6.5 times higher chance of exclusively breastfeeding at the end of the third month, and 1.97 times higher chance of continuing breastfeeding to the end of the sixth month compared with other mothers. The fathers' knowledge also significantly influenced breastfeeding rates. The children whose fathers knew more had a 1.76 higher chance of being exclusively breastfed at the end of the first month, and 1.91 higher chance of receiving maternal milk at the end of the third month. CONCLUSION: A simple, inexpensive strategy can increase the level of breastfeeding knowledge of mothers and fathers and, consequently, have a positive impact on the frequency of breastfeeding.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Knowledge in health visiting practice.

Health visiting is a practical discipline, hence knowledge in health visiting practice cannot be thought of as inert, that is merely as items of information merely; rather, it must be thought of in terms of a dynamic interplay among the individuality of the knower (the practitioner), the sources whereby knowledge may be acquired, and the contexts in which it must be applied. This discussion is an exploration of that interplay. Thus, in the discussion, the distinctive demands on the practitioner (and the kinds of personal qualities these entail) in acquiring and applying knowledge are highlighted, as are the sources of knowledge and the constraints of context. Three sources of knowledge are noted: authority, personal experience, and intuition. Context is conceived both in terms of the macro, sociopolitical, level and in terms of the micro level, i.e. the individual homes and interpersonal relationships in and through which health visiting is typically practised. Conclusions are drawn relating to the education of health visitors. The discussion draws on a distinction between three kinds of knowledge: factual or propositional knowledge, knowledge by acquaintance, and practical knowledge, or know-how.

Clinical Competence↗

PubMed1995

A measure of knowledge and confidence in relation to HIV and AIDS: reliability and validity.

Knowledge of HIV and AIDS is widely seen as an important determinant of anxiety about such infection in health care workers. However, existing measures of this knowledge suffer from a number of methodological problems and few demonstrate adequate reliability and validity. This paper documents the development of a new measure detailing its reliability and validity. Knowledge, and also confidence in knowledge, were assessed across seven domains of relevant information (e.g. epidemiology, personal risk, symptomatology) in one non-expert group (non-medical undergraduate psychologist) and in three groups with greater expertise (nursing students and third year and final year medical students). The measure was shown to be reliable and to discriminate between the four groups in a manner consistent with the level of education received by each group and in terms of both the scale scores for the seven domains and the individual items. In general, final year medical students were shown to be more knowledgeable, and more confident in their knowledge, than the other groups. The non-medical undergraduates showed the lowest level of knowledge. In general, the groups appeared under-confident in their knowledge about HIV/AIDS. This was interpreted in terms of members of these groups exhibiting caution and the perceived fluctuating nature of the HIV knowledge base. Implications for the training of health care workers in relation to HIV/AIDS are discussed.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Carer knowledge of dysphagia management strategies.

Dysphagia can have many negative health consequences for people with learning disabilities, including dehydration, aspiration and asphyxiation. Few studies have investigated dysphagia management among adults with learning disabilities. This study aims to contribute to the existing knowledge by investigating carer knowledge of speech and language therapists' (SLTs) recommendations regarding dysphagia management, and by comparing carer knowledge with their behavioural adherence to SLT recommendations. An exploratory study was undertaken investigating carer knowledge of dysphagia management strategies, along with a within-participants' study comparing carer knowledge and adherence. Structured interviews were conducted with carers supporting adults with learning disabilities and dysphagia to explore and ascertain their knowledge of dysphagia management. These data were then compared with observational data gathered in naturalistic contexts, assessing the behavioural adherence of these same carers. Recommendations pertaining to altering consistency and using specialized equipment and utensils were recalled significantly more readily than those concerning support and prompting for the dysphagic persons. Moreover, carers adhered to management strategies to a significantly greater degree than they could recall the details of the written guidelines containing the dysphagia management strategies. The findings suggest that tangible and routinely used management strategies, e.g. food and drink consistency, and use of specialized utensils, are easier for carers to adhere to and remember than support-based strategies such as verbal prompting and pacing. The discrepancy between compliance and knowledge can be explained by calling upon cognitive theories of memory and skill acquisition. This has implications for the selection of relevant outcomes of dysphagia training of direct care staff. Knowledge does not necessarily predict actual behavioural adherence and, though desirable, does not appear to be an adequate outcome indicator if the goal is behavioural adherence. Practice implications for SLTs training carers in dysphagia management strategies include combating fossilization of incorrect knowledge; encouraging carers to refamiliarize themselves with management strategies and their rationales periodically following initial training; and providing more specific contingency information for support and prompting in the guideline documentation.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

How does beneficiary knowledge of the Medicare program vary by type of insurance?

BACKGROUND: Prior research found that Medicare beneficiaries' knowledge of the Medicare program varied by the type of supplemental insurance they had. However, none of these studies used both multivariate methods and nationally representative data to examine the issue. OBJECTIVES To measure beneficiary knowledge of the Medicare program and to evaluate how knowledge varies by type of supplemental insurance. RESEARCH DESIGN: A mail survey with telephone follow-up to a nationally representative random sample of Medicare beneficiaries, which had a 76% response rate. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of providing the Medicare & You handbook on beneficiary knowledge, information needs, and health plan decision making. SUBJECTS: A total of 3738 Medicare beneficiaries who completed the survey. MEASURES: A psychometrically validated 22-item index that reflects Medicare-related knowledge in seven different content areas. RESULTS Overall, beneficiaries with a Medicare HMO or non-employer-sponsored supplemental insurance were more knowledgeable about Medicare than those who had Medicare only. In general, beneficiaries tended to be more knowledgeable about issues related to the type of insurance they had (fee-for-service or managed care) than other types of insurance. CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels of knowledge about one's own type of insurance may suggest that beneficiaries learn by experience or they learn more about that type of insurance before enrollment. Further research is needed to better understand how and when beneficiaries learn about insurance and what educational strategies are more effective at increasing knowledge.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

Improving the implementation of evidence-based practice: a knowledge management perspective.

Experience of knowledge management initiatives in non-health care organizations can offer useful insights, and strategies, to implement evidence-based practice in health care. Knowledge management offers a structured process for the generation, storage, distribution and application of knowledge in organizations. This includes both tacit knowledge (personal experience) and explicit knowledge (evidence). Communities of practice are a key component of knowledge management and have been recognized to be essential for the implementation of change in organizations. It is within communities of practice that tacit knowledge is actively integrated with explicit knowledge. Organizational factors that limit the development of knowledge management, including communities of practice, in non-health care organizations need to be overcome if the potential is to be achieved within health care.

Diffusion of Innovation↗

PubMed1998

Rural youth: HIV/STD knowledge levels and sources of information.

Though it is recognised that a sound knowledge of HIV/STD transmission is insufficient on its own to ensure that young people practise safer sex, knowledge of this sort is a necessary prerequisite to safe sex behaviours. Research on the HIV/STD knowledge levels of young people has shown that, while they have high levels of HIV knowledge, they generally have little idea about the transmission of other STDs. Moreover, most of this research has been conducted with more accessible youth in large urban centres. The research reported in this paper focused on HIV/STD knowledge levels, awareness of safe and unsafe sexual practices, and the information sources accessed by 1168 young people living in small rural towns in Queensland, Tasmania and Victoria. As with mainstream youth, the participants in this study had high levels of HIV knowledge and very low levels of knowledge about the transmission of other STDs, their names and symptoms. Practical knowledge of the safety of sexual practices was good, although a number of students confused high risk practices with high risk groups. Students mainly accessed informal information sources such as parents, peers and magazines and took little advantage of more formal sources even when they were available in their towns. There were few gender differences in levels of knowledge; however, girls accessed more information sources and knew more names of STDs. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to young people developing critical attitudes towards more informal sources, and the better use of more formal sources.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

Validation of an asthma knowledge questionnaire.

Asthma is responsible for much morbidity and mortality, which might be decreased by increasing parental and patient knowledge about asthma. This report describes the development and validation of an asthma knowledge questionnaire for use in the assessment of asthma knowledge. Two groups of respondents were examined. One group was designated 'high knowledge' and the other 'low knowledge'. The questionnaire had a maximum possible score of 31. The mean score of 69 'high' knowledge parents was 25.3 (median 25, range 18-31). By contrast, the mean score of 69 'low' knowledge parents was 13.0 (median 13, range 0-21). The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P less than 0.0001). The questionnaire results were reproducible (tau = 0.94, P less than 0.01). Demographic characteristics such as education and socio-economic status were not important confounding variables. Face and content validity of the questionnaire were based on reference to published experience. Concurrent validity was demonstrated by the ability of the questionnaire to distinguish low from high knowledge parents. The questionnaire should prove to be a valuable research tool for the assessment of asthma knowledge either as part of an educational intervention or in a clinical situation.

Asthma↗

PubMed1997

Knowledge and beliefs about common eye diseases.

PURPOSE: To ascertain the level of knowledge of common causes of blindness in an adult Australian population and to relate this to use of eye care services. METHODS: A population-based study of common eye diseases in an urban population aged 49 years or older was conducted. The questions were concerned with the awareness and knowledge of and the ability to describe three common eye diseases, namely cataract, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). RESULTS: Awareness of cataract (98%) and glaucoma (93%) were high in this population, but awareness of AMD was low (20%). Among people who were aware of the target eye disease, only 29% showed some knowledge of glaucoma, 26% showed some knowledge of AMD and 20% showed some knowledge of cataract; this was also low in people who had previous eye treatment, such as cataract surgery. Knowledge was related to education level, occupational prestige and knowledge of other eye diseases. After excluding people with a previous eye disease diagnosis, those people who were aware and had some knowledge of eye disease accessed eyecare services more frequently. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of common eye diseases is generally lacking. Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in Australia, yet only 20% of the present study population had heard of it. As there are often no early symptoms for glaucoma, community awareness of this disease and the need for screening of people at risk may allow timely diagnosis and more effective therapy before advanced visual field loss has occurred. An informed public is more likely to present earlier with visual symptoms before irreversible visual loss has occurred and is more likely to comply better with recommended therapy.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Knowledge and attitude of Jordanian school health teachers with regards to emergency management of dental trauma.

The purpose of this study was to assess, by means of a self administered structured questionnaire, the level of knowledge of school health teachers in northern Jordan with regards to the immediate emergency management of dental trauma. The questionnaire surveyed teacher's background, Knowledge of management of tooth fracture, avulsion, and loss of consciousness, it also investigated teacher's attitudes, and self assessed knowledge, as well as knowledge of availability of emergency services in Jordan. The sample consisted of all school health teachers in northern Jordan (220) who attended an oral health education course held by the Jordanian dental association. Only 190 were included in the survey. Sixty-three percent were females, 44% were in their twenties, and 43% in their forties. Their school health teaching experience ranged from 1 to 7 years. Only 20% were officially trained in school health. Less than half of the teachers received first aid training only once in their teaching career, not necessarily as part of school health training. Only 10 teachers were trained in dental first aid, and more than half had a previous experience with handling dental trauma in children. Overall the teachers' knowledge with regards to the emergency management of the trauma cases presented in the report was deficient. Chi-square test showed that, the difference in their responses to the knowledge part of the questionnaire was not statistically significant with regards to age, gender, years of teaching experience, first aid training, or number of seen trauma cases. Generally, the attitude was positive, most teachers wanting further education on the topic, however those who were trained in first aid, thought they were able to give proper action when needed in cases of trauma (P = 0.026). Most teachers were unsatisfied with their level of knowledge, and only 30% knew of the availability of after hour emergency services for dental trauma. The present report indicated the gross lack of knowledge among school health teachers with regards to dental trauma emergency management. Educational programs to improve the knowledge and awareness of this group of adults, who are usually the first line of advice in case of dental trauma in schools, are mandatory. These programs should be properly designed to insure that proper information is retained with a positive effect on attitude, and self assessed competence.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Knowledge of Brazilian general dentists and endodontists about the emergency management of dento-alveolar trauma.

The purpose of this study was to determine Brazilian dentists' knowledge of emergency management of dento-alveolar trauma. A two-part questionnaire containing questions on demographic data and knowledge were mailed to 230 general dental practitioners (GDPs) and 70 endodontists. Questionnaires were returned by 42.6% of the GDPs and 62.8% of the endodontists. The survey data were statistically analyzed using Mann-Whitney U-test for practitioners' knowledge and Pearson's correlation coefficient for association between knowledge scores and practitioner age or years since graduation. The mean knowledge score of endodontists was significantly greater than for GDPs (P<0.0001). Dentists with trauma experience in their practices and those who had attended postgraduate courses on dental trauma had a significant higher mean knowledge score. In contrast, there was a poor correlation between the knowledge score and the ages of the respondents (r=0.086) or the years since graduation (r=0.108). In conclusion, this survey showed a poor knowledge of dental trauma management among the surveyed dentists and highlights the need to develop strategies to improve the knowledge base in this area of dentistry for the benefit of the dental trauma patient.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Investigation of the variables that impact upon the knowledge of cardiac risk factors.

OBJECTIVE: Awareness of cardiac disease risk factors is required before they can be modified. The present study aimed to investigate risk factor knowledge and the variables that impact upon this knowledge. METHODS: We undertook an analytical, cross-sectional survey of 226 patients attending an ED. Patients were asked to recall as many cardiac risk factors as possible and to rate the risk of nine given risk factors. Data relating to sources of risk factor information were collected. Uni- and multivariate (multiple linear regression) analyses determined variables that impacted upon the risk factor knowledge score. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 60.2 +/- 15 years, 55.3% (95% confidence interval 48.6-61.9) were male and 19.9% (95% confidence interval 15.0-25.8) had known cardiac disease. The mean risk factor knowledge score of 2.5 +/- 1.5 out of a possible 12 (median 3) was indicative of poor knowledge. Smoking, poor diet and stress/worry/tension were the most common factors reported. Variables impacting significantly on the knowledge score were English as a first language (P < 0.001), age (negative correlation, P < 0.001) and the receipt of information relating to cardiac health (P < 0.001). The patients' general practitioner and the media were the most important sources of information. CONCLUSIONS: Patients' knowledge of cardiac risk factors is generally poor and education strategies are indicated. At the individual level, the general practitioner is likely to remain as an important influence on knowledge. However, complementary media education programs are indicated at the community level. Patient subgroups at 'high risk' through poor knowledge should be specifically targeted.

Coronary Disease↗

PubMed2003

Labelling and patient knowledge of dispensed drugs as quality indicators in primary care in Botswana.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the quality of dispensing and patient knowledge of drugs dispensed in primary care in Botswana. SETTING: Thirty randomly assigned primary healthcare facilities in three districts of Botswana. PARTICIPANTS: Patients visiting clinics and health posts. DESIGN: Analysis of data from prospective participative observations of the drug dispensing process and interview of patients about their knowledge of drugs received immediately after dispensing. The quality of drug labelling was assessed by calculating mean labelling scores composed of five dispensing attributes: name of patient, and name, strength, dosage, and volume of the drug (incorrect or no labelling=0, 1 point for each correct labelling attribute; maximum score=5). Mean knowledge scores were obtained immediately after dispensing from patient recall of name and dosage of drug, duration of treatment, and reason for prescription (incorrect recall=0, 1 point for each correct recall attribute; maximum score=4). RESULTS: 2994 consecutive patient consultations were analysed. The mean labelling score was 2.75. Family welfare educators and pharmacy technicians scored highest (3.15 and 2.98, respectively) and untrained staff lowest (2.60). Factors independently associated with the labelling score were analgesics v other drugs, district, health posts v clinics, education of prescriber (nurse best), and years of experience of prescriber (4-11 years best). The mean patient knowledge score was 2.50. The reason for prescription of the drug(s), dosage, duration of treatment, and name of the drug(s) was recalled by 92%, 83%, 44%, and 31% of patients, respectively. The qualification level of the dispenser was the strongest factor independently associated with the knowledge score. Antibiotics had the second lowest score, both for labelling (2.39) and patient knowledge (2.39). CONCLUSION: Only trained dispensing staff provided satisfactory quality of labelling. Patients had a fair knowledge of the drugs dispensed. The knowledge of drugs dispensed by family welfare educators was less than satisfactory. The labelling score is a useful indicator of the quality of dispensing, and the knowledge score of both the quality of prescribing and of dispensing. These indicators should be added to the WHO list of patient care indicators.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

The correlation between nutrition knowledge and eating behavior in an American school: the role of ethnicity.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between nutrition knowledge and eating behavior of a sample of middle school children. The participants were 532 students in the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades from Shawnee Middle School in Lima, Ohio. The students were asked to a complete a questionnaire (CANKAP--Comprehensive Assessment of Nutrition Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices), which measured nutrition knowledge and eating behavior, and is reproduced here. The data were coded and computer-analyzed using the SAS statistical program for analysis by frequency distribution, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson Correlation Coefficients. Data analysis provided the following results: Mean nutrition knowledge scores of sixth grade students (68.4) were higher than mean nutrition knowledge scores of seventh and eighth grade students (58.5 per cent). The relationship between nutrition knowledge and eating behavior was insignificant for sixth grade students, but significant for seventh and eighth grade students. Also, "Caucasians" had higher mean knowledge scores than "Other" ethnic groups combined. The students demonstrated knowledge about the cultural and psychological aspects of nutrition. However, they were not able to identify the food sources of nutrients or nutrient functions, and they did not use a daily food guide to choose foods, although they were aware of the importance of milk and vegetable consumption. Knowledge about nutrition and healthy eating behavior appears to be weak within this group, and it would be beneficial to promote a nutrition curriculum for students in middle schools.

Adolescent↗