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Description
Aflatoxin contamination in food can cause serious health risks. However, public awareness and preventive behaviours regarding contamination remain inadequate. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours (KAB) of Sri Lankan housewives regarding aflatoxins and to examine the factors affecting the level of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours using structural equation modelling (SEM). Data were collected through an interviewer-administered, telephone-based, pre-tested questionnaire from a sample of 397 housewives. SEM analysis revealed that education level was the strongest predictor of knowledge (β = 0.235, p < 0.001) and attitudes (β = 0.254, p < 0.001), whereas income, age, ethnicity, and area of living had no significant effect. Knowledge had a strong positive influence on the attitudes (β = 0.734, p < 0.001). Among knowledge indicators, recognition of aflatoxins (β = 0.874) and aflatoxin-related health risks (β = 0.805) showed the highest contributions. Attitudes strongly influenced the importance of aflatoxin awareness (β = 0.990) and willingness to pay for aflatoxin-free foods (β = 0.982). Among behaviour indicators, hygiene after scraping (β = 0.907) was the strongest predictor, while food storage practices had the least influence (β = 0.048). Model fit indices indicated a moderate fit (CFI = 0.952, RMSEA = 0.097). The findings highlight the crucial role of knowledge of housewives in shaping attitudes and behaviours regarding aflatoxin contamination. This study sheds light on the need of educational interventions and behaviour-driven strategies to enhance aflatoxin risk mitigation. Further research should explore socio-cultural and environmental factors to refine predictive models and intervention strategies.
