Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt
2
Public Health and Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
3
Forensic Medicine and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Suez University, Suez, Egypt.
4
Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
5
Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
Abstract
Background: Despite the known health risks associated with the reuse of repeatedly heated cooking oil (RHCO), limited research exists on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the Egyptian population regarding this issue. The objective was to assess RHCO knowledge, attitudes, and practices among Egyptian public. Methods: A cross-sectional design was implemented using an online survey, which was distributed through social media. A total of 440 participants were recruited using a convenience sampling. Data on socio-demographic factors, knowledge, attitudes, and practices were collected using a validated questionnaire. Results: The average age of participants was 40.8±12.5 years. The majority were female (83.4%), married (75.3%), residing in urban areas (92%), and highly educated (88.4%). Most participants (82.5%) acknowledged that repeatedly heating cooking oil reduces its quality, with 88% aware of the associated health risks, including cancer and hypertension. While 90.4% supported reducing RHCO use, only 19.1% never reused oil, and practices varied widely. The attitude score was good in 45.5% of the participants, fair in 54.0%, and poor in 0.5%. Significant correlations were observed between attitude scores and socio-demographic factors, such as residence, education, and income. Additionally, gender, residence, and employment status significantly influenced oil reuse practices. Conclusions: Despite high awareness of the health risks of RHCO, a significant proportion of participants continued to reuse cooking oil for economic and practical reasons. A clear gap exists between knowledge and practice regarding RHCO use in Egypt. Public health interventions should increase awareness, particularly among lower-income and less-educated populations, and offer cost-effective alternatives.
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