Risk perception of foodborne diseases by pregnant women in Brazil: An exploratory case study

Pregnant women are highly susceptible to foodborne diseases (FBD), such as listeriosis, salmonellosis, and toxoplasmosis due to hormonal and immunological changes during pregnancy. However, data on the risk perception and knowledge of FBD among pregnant women is scarce. This exploratory study aimed to assess the risk perception, knowledge of FBD and food safety and food handling practices among pregnant women in Brazil. Anonymously, 404 pregnant women completed a structured questionnaire comprised of 46 questions. The participants were asked about their food handling practices, knowledge of food safety and FBD, risk perception, and opinions on the importance of food safety policies. The findings revealed a concerning lack of knowledge; with 42.1 % of participants unfamiliar with fundamental terms like "safe food," and over half (54.4 %) unaware of FBD. Inadequate food handling practices and misconceptions about high-risk foods during pregnancy were prevalent. Higher education levels correlated with better practices, knowledge, and risk perception (p < 0.05). Regional differences were observed, with the Southeast exhibiting the highest score in practices and risk perception (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the majority of participants (98.8 %) emphasized the importance of food safety policies, and 92.5 % expressed a need for more information about government programs on these topics. These findings underscore the necessity for targeted educational campaigns and policies to enhance food safety risk perception and practices among pregnant women in Brazil.