We know that self-efficacy influences people's implementation of health-protective behaviors, so if a person has high self-efficacy for implementing a hand-washing behavior (to avoid the hazard of consuming food that contains pathogenic bacteria), does self-efficacy also influence affective responses to that hazard (consuming food that contains pathogenic bacteria)?
Individuals with high self-efficacy in hand-washing are more likely to feel confident and in control when faced with the hazard of consuming contaminated food. Their confidence in their ability to protect themselves through hand-washing can reduce anxiety and negative emotions related to the hazard.
Phil Geis Thank you very much for your attention to the issue. It is true that hand washing can‘t reduce pathogenic bacteria in food. The emphasis here is on reducing the possibility of cross-contamination. Pathogenic bacteria in raw meat can be transferred to ready-to-eat foods through hands and kitchen utensils, so washing hands properly after handling raw meat is a healthy behavior.
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