Hygiene practices continue to be the primary strategy for disease prevention and it is one of the silent victories of public health. The hygienic practices dramatically reduce routine exposures to pathogenic microorganisms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an educational health program to improve mothers' hygienic practices to prevent food poisoning among their children. Design: A quasi–experimental design was used. Setting: This study was conducted at the Toxicological Unit at Benha University Hospital and Fever Hospital in Benha City, where the children were treated. Sample: Eighty mothers of children suffering from signs and symptoms of food poisoning. Tool: An interviewing questionnaire was used for data collection and consists of four parts. 1): Demographic characteristics. 2): Mothers’ knowledge related to food poisoning. 3) Hygienic practices of mothers. 4): Mothers’ attitude toward food poisoning. Results: 71.2% completed middle education, 70% were housewives, and about 53.7% of them have insufficient income. As their previous history of food poisoning they presented 51.2%. The total mean knowledge was upgraded after the program than pre program, and the hygienic practices and attitude was improved. There were statistically significant relations between pre/post program of mothers' knowledge and attitude related to food poisoning, p0.001. Conclusion: The health educational program about food poisoning had positive effect to upgrade mothers' knowledge and improve their hygienic practices. Highly educated and older mothers had better knowledge, hygienic practices, and positive attitude regarding food poisoning. Recommendations: Continuous educational program for mothers regarding food hygiene and food poisoning through medical staff should be provided.
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