SURVEY OF FOOD SAFETY AWARENESS AMONG HIV-POSITIVE INDIVIDUALS

A survey was carried out by personal interview to assess the awareness of basic food hygiene and food safety amongst 77 HIV-positive individ uals attending a single hospital. There was some confusion and lack of knowledge about aspects of food storage and despite the fact that 74% of subjects had modified their diet since learning their HIV status ( mainly for nutritional reasons) only 25% reported receiving informatio n on food safety. Of the subjects interviewed, 96%, 66% and 23% were a ware of the risks of infection from Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes and Cryptosporidium, respectively; although most were not aware of th e UK Government's advice on se consumption of eggs, soft cheese, pate and cook-chill foods. Over 40% of those interviewed reported that they did not drink tap water (most drank bottled water instead), but few w ere aware of infections potentially transmitted through water. Althoug h pets represent a potential source of a wide variety of infectious ag ents, there was a high level of awareness of this problem. This study highlights the need for improving the availability of information on f ood hygiene and infections acquired through food and water to HIV-posi tive individuals.