Assessment of Intestinal Parasites, Enteric Bacterial Infections, and Antimicrobial Susceptibility among Street Food Handlers in Jimma Town, Southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Background. Food-borne infections are common public health problems worldwide. A street food handler with poor personal hygiene contributes to the transmission of intestinal parasites and enteric bacteria to the public via contaminated foods. In Ethiopia, health risks associated with street food are common. Previous studies in this area are scanty. Hence, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites, enteric bacterial infections, and antimicrobial susceptibility among street food handlers in Jimma town. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted from October to December 2020 among 260 street food handlers in Jimma town. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data through face-to-face interviews. About 3 grams of the fecal specimen were collected from each food handler for bacterial culture and concentration techniques. The data were entered into Epi-Data 3.1 and analyzed by SPSS version 20. Associated factors were identified by using binary logistic regression analysis. A statistically significant association was determined at a p-value less than 0.05. Results. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites and enteric bacterial pathogens was 39.2% (33.3%–45.2%) and 8.85% (5.4%–12.3%), respectively. Ascaris lumbricoides (18.5%) and Salmonella (8.1%) were the most predominant parasite and enteric bacterial isolates, respectively. Not trimming fingernails (AOR = 2.884; 95% CI: 1.682–4.945) and not washing hands with soap after toilet (AOR = 3.342; 95% CI: 1.939–5.761) were factors associated with increased risk of infection by intestinal parasites or enteric bacterial pathogens. All Salmonella and Shigella isolates were 100% resistant to ampicillin. Conclusion. The infection with intestinal parasites and enteric bacterial pathogens detected in this study indicated that street food handlers may serve as sources of pathogens/parasites for transmission and experience morbidities due to the infections. Therefore, periodic medical checkups and creating awareness of personal hygiene are mandatory to reduce the risk of infections.

A Laboratory Perspective on an Epidemiological Pattern of Infectious Gastroenteritis: A Five-year Surveillance between 2016 to 2020 from Established Private Healthcare Centers within Klang Valley in Malaysia

“…Our analysis found that mono-infection is caused mainly by bacteria (67.4%; n=194/288) with Salmonella spp., EPEC and Campylobacter. Our findings are consistent with other previously reported studies in Africa, 14,15 the USA and Canada, 16 Korea, 2,6 Malaysia, 26 and Italy. 10 Salmonella spp., Campylobacter and Norovirus have been known as common enteric pathogens detected in Africa, 14,15 the USA and Canada, 16 and Korea.…”

“…Our findings are consistent with other previously reported studies in Africa, 14,15 the USA and Canada, 16 Korea, 2,6 Malaysia, 26 and Italy. 10 Salmonella spp., Campylobacter and Norovirus have been known as common enteric pathogens detected in Africa, 14,15 the USA and Canada, 16 and Korea. 2,6 Interestingly, we observed that there is an emergence of EPEC as one of the prevalent enteric pathogens.…”

“…and Campylobacter 1 become the second most common etiological agent of gastroenteritis, with Salmonella spp. being the most common enteric pathogen reported in countries such as Africa, 14,15 the USA, Canada 16 and Korea. 2,6 The etiologic diagnosis of infectious diarrhoea can be challenging because almost all types of enteric pathogens produce similar clinical manifestations, occurrence of multiple infectious agents causing AGE, and the source of contamination, whether from the food, water, environment or animal exposure.…”

Enteric Bacterial Infections, Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern, Intestinal Parasites, and Associated Factors Among Food Handlers in Yabelo Town, Borena Zone, Southern Ethiopia

“… 1 Food-borne pathogens are a class of pathogenic microorganisms that infect people through food or food-borne pathways. 2 Street food is a daily meal for an estimated 2.5 billion people worldwide. Consequently, foodborne illnesses resulting from pathogenic bacteria and parasites are increasingly becoming a significant health concern linked to street food.…”

Relationship of Knowledge with Implementation Personal Hygiene at Food Traders in Pasir Gombong Bekasi Regency

“…11 Someone who doesn't wash their hands thoroughly and doesn't cut their nails can become a source of salmonella bacteria contaminants in food. 12 Based on a preliminary study in the Pasir Gombong area, Bekasi Regency, there were food traders who did not use mouth coverings, aprons and head coverings when selling during the pandemic. This can be a means of transmitting the virus both directly and through food if not paid attention to.…”