Knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of nutrition among school teachers in Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study

PLoS One. 2023 Mar 24;18(3):e0283530. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0283530. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

Background: Teachers play a pivotal role in imparting nutritional knowledge to their students. This research aimed to evaluate the nutrition-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of selected Bangladeshi school teachers across the country.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed using a multistage sampling method. A pretested and structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics, multiple regression analysis, and ANOVA tests, were performed to carry out the study.

Results: Among the 280 participants, only 9.9% were happy with their understanding of childhood nutrition requirements, around 54.2% were familiar with basic nutrition-related knowledge, and overall, 97.7% of participants had a positive attitude towards learning about nutrition-related knowledge focusing on the well-being of children. Moreover, only 38.7% had training in pediatric nutrition. Age, type of school, type of residence, professional training of school teachers, and the intent of having ever taken part or paying attention to nutrition-related knowledge significantly impacted the respondents' nutrition knowledge score (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Adequate planning and intervention measures should be developed to improve teachers' understanding, behavior, and practice that encourage the growth of optimal nutrition-related behavior among school-aged children to establish a healthy nation.

MeSH terms

  • Bangladesh
  • Child
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Humans
  • Nutritional Status
  • School Teachers*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

Grants and funding

The author(s) received no specific funding for this work.