BackgroundFood handlers have been recognized to play a major role in the transmission of food borne diseases, contributing significantly to the global incidence and burden of the diseases. This study, therefore, aimed to assess the nasal and hand carriage of Staphylococcus aureus among food handlers in Jimma Town.MethodsA community based cross sectional study was conducted from February to May 2017. Swab specimens from nasopharyngeal and hands of food handlers working in food establishments were collected for isolation and identification of S. aureus using standard bacteriological methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was done using disc diffusion method. Associations of selected variables for S. aureus colonization were determined using SPSS version 20 with p ≤ 0.05 taken as statistically significant.ResultsAmong the 300 food handlers working in hotels and restaurants in Jimma Town, 86(28.7%) were colonized by S. aureus. The frequency of isolation of S. aureus from nose, hand and both parts (nose and hand) were 27(9%), 34(11.3%) and 25(8.3%), respectively. There was strong association (P=0.00336) between carriage rate of S. aureus and food handlers' job category. The majority (90.7%) of the isolates were resistant to Penicillin and Ampicillin. Increased levels of sensitivity were observed against Ciprofloxacin (96.5%), Cefoxitin (95.3%) and Amoxicillin-Clavulanic Acid (94.2%).ConclusionsThis study revealed a high prevalence of S. aureus carriers among food handlers and high antibacterial resistance towards commonly prescribed drugs, justifying the screening of food handlers to detect and treat carriers and protect restaurant customers from staphylococcal food poisoning.

Background: - Food borne diseases are a challenge for both developed and developing countries and are a leading cause of illnesses and deaths in developing countries. Regardless of concentrative hard work for several years, food borne diseases has remained a major global public health issue with substantial morbidity and mortality associated with the consumption of contaminated food staffs. Parasitic infection is among the major disease especially in developing countries and sub-Saharan countries including Ethiopia. Objective: -This study was aimed to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites and associated factors among food handlers working in food and drink establishments at Mizan Aman town southwest Ethiopia. Method:- A community based cross sectional study design was employed. Four hundred eighteen study participants were randomly selected from a total of 209 foods and drinks establishment in Mizan Aman Town, Bench Maji Zone, and Southwest Ethiopia. Epidata version 3.1 used for data entry while SPSS version 21 used for analysis. Descriptive and logistic regression analysis carried out ; predictor variables at 95 % CI using p –value ≤0.05 were declared as statistically significant. Result: Among 399 participants, 203(50.9%) were female and 194(49.1%) were male. Almost half 194 (48.6 %) of the participants age was below 20 years . The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites among the study subjects was 26.1% ; from this Ascaris lumbricoides 7.3% and Teniasis species 5% were the predominant parasites identified from the stool of study participants. Conclusion: The study identified high prevalence of intestinal parasites among study participants who worked for less than one year duration , wear hand jewelry, not practice hand washing routinely, not wearing hair net, food preparation during sickness and use the same equipment for raw and cooked food serving. Training about safe food handling and other hygienic practices should be encouraged for better personal and community health status. On the other hand, all concerned should pay attention to safe guard consumers’ health. Key terms: - Intestinal parasites, Food handlers, Food and drink establishment