Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in certified food-handlers working in food establishments in the City of Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

Most intestinal parasites are cosmopolitan with the highest prevalence in the tropics and subtopics. Rural-to-urban migration rapidly increases the number of food eating places in towns and their environs. Some of these eating estabishments have poor sanitation and are overcrowded, facilitating disease transmission, especially through food-handling. Our investigations in Nairobi, therefore, were set to determine the presence of intestinal parasites in food-handlers with valid medical certificates. Direct and concentrated stool processing techniques were used. Chisquare test and ANOVA were used for data analysis. The parasites Ascaris lumbricoides, Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia were observed in certified food-handlers. Significant difference was found in parasite frequency by eating classes and gender (χ2 = 9.49, P = 0.73), (F = 1.495, P = 0.297), but not in parasite occurrence between age brackets (χ2 = 6.99, P = 0.039). The six-month medical certificate validity period may contribute significantly to the presence of intestinal parasites in certified food-handlers.

Entamoeba species infection in patients seeking treatment for diarrhea and abdominal discomfort in Mukuru informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya

“…The prevalence of Entamoeba spp. by microscopy in the present study was in agreement with those reported previously from Kenya in children ( Obala et al, 2013 ; Njambi et al, 2020 ), food-handlers ( Kamau et al, 2012 ) and people of all age groups ( Nguhiu et al, 2009 ), as well as in other African countries including Ethiopia, Cameroon and Nigeria ( Aribodor et al, 2012 ; Assob et al, 2012 ; King et al, 2013 ). However, elsewhere in Kenya high prevalence of Entamoeba spp.…”

“…The age group 21–30 years was the most infected with Entamoeba spp. including E. histolytica and is in agreement with previous studies in Kenya ( Kamau et al, 2012 ; Kimosop et al, 2018 ). Populations sandwiching this age group recorded high E. histolytica infections in different countries for example 18–40 years in Yemen ( Al-Areeqi et al, 2017 ) and 20–46 years in South Africa ( Samie et al, 2006 ; Samie et al, 2020 ).…”

Entamoeba species infection in patients seeking treatment for diarrhea and abdominal discomfort in Mukuru informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya

“…The prevalence of Entamoeba spp. by microscopy in the present study was in agreement with those reported previously from Kenya in children ( Obala et al, 2013 ; Njambi et al, 2020 ), food-handlers ( Kamau et al, 2012 ) and people of all age groups ( Nguhiu et al, 2009 ), as well as in other African countries including Ethiopia, Cameroon and Nigeria ( Aribodor et al, 2012 ; Assob et al, 2012 ; King et al, 2013 ). However, elsewhere in Kenya high prevalence of Entamoeba spp.…”

“…The age group 21–30 years was the most infected with Entamoeba spp. including E. histolytica and is in agreement with previous studies in Kenya ( Kamau et al, 2012 ; Kimosop et al, 2018 ). Populations sandwiching this age group recorded high E. histolytica infections in different countries for example 18–40 years in Yemen ( Al-Areeqi et al, 2017 ) and 20–46 years in South Africa ( Samie et al, 2006 ; Samie et al, 2020 ).…”

Prevalence of intestinal parasites and associated factors among food handlers in food establishments in the Lideta subcity of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: an institution-based, cross-sectional study

“…The prevalence of intestinal parasites reported in this study was lower than the findings of studies in Nekemte Town (52.1%)26 and Mekelle University (49.4%) 15. Furthermore, the prevalence of intestinal parasites reported in the current study was higher than the findings of studies conducted among food handlers in Wolaita Sodo (23.6%),14 Jimma (33%),27 Madda Walabu University (25.3%),28 Motta Town (27.6%),29 Nairobi (15.7%),30 Iran (9%),31 Saudi Arabia (23%)32 and Thailand (10%) 33. The high prevalence of intestinal parasites among food handlers working in food establishments in the Lideta subcity of Addis Ababa might be explained by poor socioeconomic conditions, poor hand hygiene and inadequate access to basic sanitation services.…”

Risk factors associated with intestinal parasitic infections among inmates of Kisii prison, Kisii county, Kenya

“…In this study, 24.7 % of the prisoners were infected with one or more species of intestinal parasites. This rate was higher than the rate reported by Kamau et al [ 13 ] (15 %) who carried out a study on the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in non-prisoners certified food- handlers working in food establishments in Kenya. More infections were seen in the male prisoners especially those with poor hygienic practices because of irregular washing of hands before meals or after visiting the toilet and irregular wearing of shoes.…”

Entamoeba species infection in patients seeking treatment for diarrhea and abdominal discomfort in Mukuru informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya

“…The prevalence of Entamoeba spp. by microscopy in the present study was in agreement with those reported previously from Kenya in children ( Obala et al, 2013 ; Njambi et al, 2020 ), food-handlers ( Kamau et al, 2012 ) and people of all age groups ( Nguhiu et al, 2009 ), as well as in other African countries including Ethiopia, Cameroon and Nigeria ( Aribodor et al, 2012 ; Assob et al, 2012 ; King et al, 2013 ). However, elsewhere in Kenya high prevalence of Entamoeba spp.…”

“…The age group 21–30 years was the most infected with Entamoeba spp. including E. histolytica and is in agreement with previous studies in Kenya ( Kamau et al, 2012 ; Kimosop et al, 2018 ). Populations sandwiching this age group recorded high E. histolytica infections in different countries for example 18–40 years in Yemen ( Al-Areeqi et al, 2017 ) and 20–46 years in South Africa ( Samie et al, 2006 ; Samie et al, 2020 ).…”

Prevalence of intestinal parasites and associated factors among food handlers in food establishments in the Lideta subcity of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: an institution-based, cross-sectional study

“…The prevalence of intestinal parasites reported in this study was lower than the findings of studies in Nekemte Town (52.1%)26 and Mekelle University (49.4%) 15. Furthermore, the prevalence of intestinal parasites reported in the current study was higher than the findings of studies conducted among food handlers in Wolaita Sodo (23.6%),14 Jimma (33%),27 Madda Walabu University (25.3%),28 Motta Town (27.6%),29 Nairobi (15.7%),30 Iran (9%),31 Saudi Arabia (23%)32 and Thailand (10%) 33. The high prevalence of intestinal parasites among food handlers working in food establishments in the Lideta subcity of Addis Ababa might be explained by poor socioeconomic conditions, poor hand hygiene and inadequate access to basic sanitation services.…”

Risk factors associated with intestinal parasitic infections among inmates of Kisii prison, Kisii county, Kenya

“…In this study, 24.7 % of the prisoners were infected with one or more species of intestinal parasites. This rate was higher than the rate reported by Kamau et al [ 13 ] (15 %) who carried out a study on the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in non-prisoners certified food- handlers working in food establishments in Kenya. More infections were seen in the male prisoners especially those with poor hygienic practices because of irregular washing of hands before meals or after visiting the toilet and irregular wearing of shoes.…”

Entamoeba species infection in patients seeking treatment for diarrhea and abdominal discomfort in Mukuru informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya

“…The prevalence of Entamoeba spp. by microscopy in the present study was in agreement with those reported previously from Kenya in children ( Obala et al, 2013 ; Njambi et al, 2020 ), food-handlers ( Kamau et al, 2012 ) and people of all age groups ( Nguhiu et al, 2009 ), as well as in other African countries including Ethiopia, Cameroon and Nigeria ( Aribodor et al, 2012 ; Assob et al, 2012 ; King et al, 2013 ). However, elsewhere in Kenya high prevalence of Entamoeba spp.…”

“…The age group 21–30 years was the most infected with Entamoeba spp. including E. histolytica and is in agreement with previous studies in Kenya ( Kamau et al, 2012 ; Kimosop et al, 2018 ). Populations sandwiching this age group recorded high E. histolytica infections in different countries for example 18–40 years in Yemen ( Al-Areeqi et al, 2017 ) and 20–46 years in South Africa ( Samie et al, 2006 ; Samie et al, 2020 ).…”

Prevalence of intestinal parasites and associated factors among food handlers in food establishments in the Lideta subcity of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: an institution-based, cross-sectional study

“…The prevalence of intestinal parasites reported in this study was lower than the findings of studies in Nekemte Town (52.1%)26 and Mekelle University (49.4%) 15. Furthermore, the prevalence of intestinal parasites reported in the current study was higher than the findings of studies conducted among food handlers in Wolaita Sodo (23.6%),14 Jimma (33%),27 Madda Walabu University (25.3%),28 Motta Town (27.6%),29 Nairobi (15.7%),30 Iran (9%),31 Saudi Arabia (23%)32 and Thailand (10%) 33. The high prevalence of intestinal parasites among food handlers working in food establishments in the Lideta subcity of Addis Ababa might be explained by poor socioeconomic conditions, poor hand hygiene and inadequate access to basic sanitation services.…”

Risk factors associated with intestinal parasitic infections among inmates of Kisii prison, Kisii county, Kenya

“…In this study, 24.7 % of the prisoners were infected with one or more species of intestinal parasites. This rate was higher than the rate reported by Kamau et al [ 13 ] (15 %) who carried out a study on the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in non-prisoners certified food- handlers working in food establishments in Kenya. More infections were seen in the male prisoners especially those with poor hygienic practices because of irregular washing of hands before meals or after visiting the toilet and irregular wearing of shoes.…”