S P Hu1, J F Liu, M J Shieh. 1. Department of Nutrition and Health Science, Taipei Medical College, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Nutrition is an important issue in medical training, but the nutritional knowledge, attitudes and practices of medical students in Taiwan have not been elucidated. METHODS: This investigation was a need assessment that examined knowledge, attitude and practices of medical students in selected areas of nutrition. A national sample of 528 senior medical students from nine medical colleges in Taiwan participated in this study by completing a questionnaire. RESULTS: On a 10-point scale, the average score of students on general and clinical nutritional knowledge was 5.99 +/- 1.51 and 5.15 +/- 1.77, respectively. The percentage of correct answers from questionnaires in both areas was 60% and 52%, respectively. Seventy-seven percent or more of the students reported that they either agreed or strongly agreed with four positive-attitude statements and either disagreed or strongly disagreed with two out of three negative-attitude statements. Between 30% and 61% of the students reported that they practice on nutrition-related individual behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge, attitudes and practices of senior medical students in Taiwan suggest the need for education strategies to improve competence in the area of nutrition.
OBJECTIVE: Nutrition is an important issue in medical training, but the nutritional knowledge, attitudes and practices of medical students in Taiwan have not been elucidated. METHODS: This investigation was a need assessment that examined knowledge, attitude and practices of medical students in selected areas of nutrition. A national sample of 528 senior medical students from nine medical colleges in Taiwan participated in this study by completing a questionnaire. RESULTS: On a 10-point scale, the average score of students on general and clinical nutritional knowledge was 5.99 +/- 1.51 and 5.15 +/- 1.77, respectively. The percentage of correct answers from questionnaires in both areas was 60% and 52%, respectively. Seventy-seven percent or more of the students reported that they either agreed or strongly agreed with four positive-attitude statements and either disagreed or strongly disagreed with two out of three negative-attitude statements. Between 30% and 61% of the students reported that they practice on nutrition-related individual behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge, attitudes and practices of senior medical students in Taiwan suggest the need for education strategies to improve competence in the area of nutrition.
Keywords:
Asia; Attitude; Behavior; China; Developing Countries; Eastern Asia; Education; Health; Kap Surveys; Knowledge; Medical Students; Nutrition; Psychological Factors; Research Methodology; Research Report; Sampling Studies; Schools; Schools, Medical; Students; Studies; Surveys; Taiwan
Authors: Patrick Opiyo Owili; Miriam Adoyo Muga; Ya-Ting Yang; Yi-Hsin Elsa Hsu Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-02-05 Impact factor: 3.390