Papers by Crovato Stefania
Food Control, 2019
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Veterinaria italiana, Jan 30, 2017
The aim of this study is to analyse and evaluate the knowledge concerning risk communication acqu... more The aim of this study is to analyse and evaluate the knowledge concerning risk communication acquired by veterinarians during a national training course. The study analyses 694 press releases written during the training course. Textual variables and indexes were considered to identify the linguistic structures used by veterinarians. At first, the analysis of press releases focused on the descriptive demographic variables, then stylistic and editorial variables were considered, and finally a lexicographic analysis was performed on the textual variables. The texts were found to have a moderate level of readability due to the use of scientific and technical terms. This study shows the need to improve training activities to develop effective risk communication, especially in terms of the language used, in order to facilitate interactions among veterinarians, mass media, and citizens.
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Food Control, 2017
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Food Control, 2016
Abstract Raising consumers' awareness about food safety issues is one of the primary objectiv... more Abstract Raising consumers' awareness about food safety issues is one of the primary objectives of Italian public health organizations. New dynamic and interactive tools, based on web applications, are already playing a leading role in health promotion campaigns targeted at adolescents. Among the web-based tools specifically designed for young people, educational videogames have proved especially effective in furthering learning and disseminating information, as they arouse adolescents' interest and curiosity. When a number of cases of Haemolytic-uraemic syndrome (HUS) were reported in 2010, particularly among children, the Italian Ministry of Health stressed the need to implement communication initiatives aimed at raising consumers' awareness of the potential risks associated with raw milk consumption at home. The pilot study described in the article is a relevant example of educational projects implemented in Italy, oriented to transmit knowledge about food risks to young consumers (aged 16–18). To provide correct information on safe milk handling practices and to reduce health issues, including serious ones, the videogame “A mysterious poisoning” was developed. This tool was administered online to 359 upper secondary school students from four different provinces in Italy. The videogame covered all stages of the milk supply chain, from stable to table, and enabled players to identify the crucial moments when milk can be contaminated and to discover safe milk handling practices. By completing a series of tasks, students helped a detective discover the cause of a food poisoning outbreak. This videogame provided an opportunity for students to test their knowledge of the product and to receive more detailed and accurate information. Data collected through two structured questionnaires that were administered before and after the controlled use of the videogame showed that this serious game was capable of changing players' perception of risk exposure and their cognitive associations, particularly increasing their levels of knowledge about the risks associated with raw milk consumption.
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Food Control, 2020
Many physiological and psychological factors govern the consumption and intake of fish. In additi... more Many physiological and psychological factors govern the consumption and intake of fish. In addition, the perception that consumers have regarding the risks associated with the consumption of fish is also crucially influential. Several studies have investigated the actual risks and benefits of consuming fish to human health. Among the investigated species, mercury concentrations were found to be higher in billfish than in other species. This implies that consuming billfish has potentially negative implications for human health. The present study aims to explore the billfish consumption habits and risk perception of fish consumers who live in the Western Central Atlantic, particularly in the Dominican Republic (DR) and Grenada (GR). Two online questionnaires were administered in the DR and GR between January and April of 2018. Among the 715 total respondents, 626 stated that they consumed fish and were thus included in the study––518 of these respondents were from the DR and 108 were ...
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Worldwide bivalve production has increased significantly in recent years. Bivalve meat is recomme... more Worldwide bivalve production has increased significantly in recent years. Bivalve meat is recommended in dietary regimens due to the benefits associated with their consumption but, at the same time, is internationally recognized as a potential vehicle for outbreaks of foodborne disease. To reduce food risk exposure, consumers must pay close attention when purchasing, handling and consuming bivalves. This study aimed to collect information on consumers' perceptions and practices related to bivalve purchasing, managing and consumption at home. A focus group methodology was adopted to better understand consumers' food practices and risk perceptions regarding molluscs. Four focus groups involving 42 consumers were conducted in Veneto and Marche region. The core analysis was then applied to each focus group discussion in order to identify, categorize and rank the information collected. The most important factors that came to light during the focus groups concerned the personal reasons for preparing bivalves at home; the place of purchase; the elements guiding consumers when purchasing bivalves; the bivalve preparation, cooking and storage conditions at home; the consumption of raw molluscs and the health risks; the consumers' categories most at risk; and the production chain control by the authorities. The data reported in the article can provide useful information to public authorities working on food safety for developing effective risk communication strategies.
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The most recent data show that shellfish farming represents approximately 60% of the total aquacu... more The most recent data show that shellfish farming represents approximately 60% of the total aquaculture production in Europe. Bivalves molluscs are internationally recognized as a potential vehicle for food-borne diseases especially when consumed raw or improperly cooked. Bivalves are filter-feeding animals that may accumulate particles present in the surrounding water, including viruses and pathogenic microorganisms. For these reasons consumers have to be careful during purchasing, handling and cooking of this food. In Europe several regulations have been adopted to protect consumers' health. However in the development of new food safety strategies it is also crucial to find an effective approach to guide authorities' decisions on priorities for controlling foodborne risks. In the article a study for the selection and ranking of behavioural information on bivalve risks is reported. The " consensus methods " provide a means of synthesising information and of harnessing the insights of experts to enable decisions shared and validated by the scientific community. The Delphi method and Nominal Group technique (NGT) were applied for their capability to assess the level of agreement and to develop consensus among participants. In the article, the NGT is presented as a way to involve relevant stakeholders in the ranking of risky behaviours from the production to the consumption of bivalve molluscs previously selected by scientific experts through the Delphi method. The inclusion of a full range of experts and stakeholders in a community participatory research project regarding food risk management represents an innovative approach in the Italian public health context, especially in the analysis of bivalve risks.
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Raising consumers' awareness about food safety issues is one of the primary objectives of Italian... more Raising consumers' awareness about food safety issues is one of the primary objectives of Italian public health organizations. New dynamic and interactive tools, based on web applications, are already playing a leading role in health promotion campaigns targeted at adolescents. Among the web-based tools specifically designed for young people, educational videogames have proved especially effective in furthering learning and disseminating information, as they arouse adolescents' interest and curiosity. When a number of cases of Haemolytic-uraemic syndrome (HUS) were reported in 2010, particularly among children, the Italian Ministry of Health stressed the need to implement communication initiatives aimed at raising consumers' awareness of the potential risks associated with raw milk consumption at home. The pilot study described in the article is a relevant example of educational projects implemented in Italy, oriented to transmit knowledge about food risks to young consumers (aged 16–18). To provide correct information on safe milk handling practices and to reduce health issues, including serious ones, the videogame “A mysterious poisoning” was developed. This tool was administered online to 359 upper secondary school students from four different provinces in Italy. The videogame covered all stages of the milk supply chain, from stable to table, and enabled players to identify the crucial moments when milk can be contaminated and to discover safe milk handling practices. By completing a series of tasks, students helped a detective discover the cause of a food poisoning outbreak. This videogame provided an opportunity for students to test their knowledge of the product and to receive more detailed and accurate information. Data collected through two structured questionnaires that were administered before and after the controlled use of the videogame showed that this serious game was capable of changing players' perception of risk exposure and their cognitive associations, particularly increasing their levels of knowledge about the risks associated with raw milk consumption.
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Ahead of print by Crovato Stefania
The aim of this study is to analyse and evaluate the knowledge concerning risk communication
acqu... more The aim of this study is to analyse and evaluate the knowledge concerning risk communication
acquired by veterinarians during a national training course. The study analyses 694 press
releases written during the training course. Textual variables and indexes were considered to
identify the linguistic structures used by veterinarians. At first, the analysis of press releases
focused on the descriptive demographic variables, then stylistic and editorial variables were
considered, and finally a lexicographic analysis was performed on the textual variables.
The texts were found to have a moderate level of readability due to the use of scientific
and technical terms. This study shows the need to improve training activities to develop
effective risk communication, especially in terms of the language used, in order to facilitate
interactions among veterinarians, mass media, and citizens
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
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Papers by Crovato Stefania
Ahead of print by Crovato Stefania
acquired by veterinarians during a national training course. The study analyses 694 press
releases written during the training course. Textual variables and indexes were considered to
identify the linguistic structures used by veterinarians. At first, the analysis of press releases
focused on the descriptive demographic variables, then stylistic and editorial variables were
considered, and finally a lexicographic analysis was performed on the textual variables.
The texts were found to have a moderate level of readability due to the use of scientific
and technical terms. This study shows the need to improve training activities to develop
effective risk communication, especially in terms of the language used, in order to facilitate
interactions among veterinarians, mass media, and citizens
acquired by veterinarians during a national training course. The study analyses 694 press
releases written during the training course. Textual variables and indexes were considered to
identify the linguistic structures used by veterinarians. At first, the analysis of press releases
focused on the descriptive demographic variables, then stylistic and editorial variables were
considered, and finally a lexicographic analysis was performed on the textual variables.
The texts were found to have a moderate level of readability due to the use of scientific
and technical terms. This study shows the need to improve training activities to develop
effective risk communication, especially in terms of the language used, in order to facilitate
interactions among veterinarians, mass media, and citizens