Prevalence and Predictors of Intestinal Parasites among Food Handlers in Yebu Town, Southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

BackgroundAs a result of urbanization, eating and drinking from food service establishments is becoming a common practice in developing countries like Ethiopia, which increases the chances of food borne diseases. The health status and hygiene practices of food handlers are the major determinants of food contamination. In developing countries where there are poor regulatory systems for food hygiene, food handlers are often appointed without screening for possible infections associated with poor hygiene like intestinal parasites.ObjectiveThis study aimed at determining the prevalence and predictors of intestinal parasites and assessing the hygiene practices among food handlers in Yebu Town, southwest Ethiopia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among a total of 118 food handlers in Yebu Town in January 2011. Fresh stool specimens were collected and processed using both direct wet mount and Formol ether concentration techniques.ResultsThe overall prevalence of intestinal parasites among the study subjects was 44.1% (52/118). Ascaris lumbricoides and hookworm spp were the predominant parasites identified from the stool of study participants. Age above 35 years (AOR: 4.8, 95% CI: 1.1, 21.8), no regular practice of washing hands before a meal (AOR: 7.8, 95% CI: 2.8, 24.8), and untrimmed finger nail (AOR: 14.7, 95% CI: 2.8, 75.4) were independent predictors of intestinal parasitic infection among the food handlers.ConclusionThe present study showed high prevalence of intestinal parasites among the study subjects. The study also revealed poor personal hygiene like poor practice of hand washing and poor finger nail hygiene. Therefore, much has to be done to improve the personal hygiene of the food handlers. Pre-placement and periodic screening of food handlers for parasites and prompt treatment, and health education on regular trimming or cleaning of fingernails would be the way forward for prevention of food borne diseases.

Prevalence of intestinal parasites among food handlers at cafeteria of Jimma University Specialized Hospital, Southwest Ethiopia

“…The predominant parasite identified in the present study was A. lumbricoides with a prevalence of 16.0% followed by Entamoeba histolytica (4.3%). This was consistent with the finding of a study conducted in Yebu and Gondar Town (Ethiopia), in which A. lumbricoides was the predominant parasite reported with a prevalence of 17.8% and 18.1%, respectively [20,28]. Bodies of knowledge have indicated the existence of high prevalence of ascariasis and entamebiasis in a given community as a good indicator of improper faecal disposal and use of poor water quality among the study participants which might hold true with the present study as well.…”

“…The present prevalence is higher than 20.6%% in Hawassa University, Ethiopia [30], Western Iran (9%) [31], Sari, Northern Iran (15.5%) [32]. It was lower than the prevalence of 58.4% which was from Jimma, Ethiopia [25], 41.1% from Bahirdar Town [23] and 41.1% from Yebu Town, Ethiopia [20]. The differences might be due to differences in climate, geographical location and socio-demographic features including poverty and overall hygienic status of the populations studied.…”

Salmonella serotypeTyphi, Shigella, and intestinal parasites among food handlers at Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia

“…However, it is lower than findings reported in other part of Ethiopia. For instance, prevalences of intestinal parasites were reported to be 49.4% from Mekelle [9], 41.1% from Bahir Dar [4], and 44.1% from southwest Ethiopia [8]. However, the prevalence of helminths in the present study (9.5%) was higher than the 3.0% prevalence reported from Mekelle, Ethiopia [9].…”

“…Furthermore, prevalances of hookworm of 8.1% and 8.3% were documented in Ethiopia [4] and Qatar [17], respectively. The prevalence of G. lamblia in the present study (3.1%) was lower compared to other findings in different part of Ethiopia, which reported 5.9% to 7.9% prevalence [4,8]. Food handlers with G. lamblia infection may directly transmit the parasite to consumers if it is ingested via contaminated food and water because G.lamblia cysts do not need environmental maturation [18].…”

“…Studies in different parts of Ethiopia reported that 29%-49.4% of food handlers working in various food establishments had intestinal parasites [4,[7][8][9]. Therefore, food handlers can transmit intestinal parasites that do not require environmental maturation [10].…”