Intestinal Parasitosis and Associated Factors Among Food Handlers Working in the University of Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Intestinal parasite infections are major global public health problems. The majority of persons infected reside in Sub-Saharan Africa with a high burden of the disease. Very few studies have been done in Ethiopia and none exist at Wachemo University, Southern Ethiopia. The present study aimed to investigate intestinal parasitic infections and associated factors among Wachemo University students’ cafeteria food handlers. Methods: Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 212 randomly selected food handlers from 15, February to 05, March/2019. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data and standard laboratory procedures were employed to collect stool and finger specimens and analyzed them for intestinal parasites. Data were edited, cleaned, entered, using EPI data 3.3.1, and analyzed by statistical package for social science version 20. A stepwise logistic regression model was used to calculate the odds ratios and 95% confidence interval for the different factors. Results: Of 212, the majority 63.7% were females and 48.1% attended grades 9 to 10. Of the stool and fingernail specimens examined, 29.7 % and 5.6% were positive for different parasites, respectively. The most prevalent parasite is Ascaris lumbricoides (12.7%) followed by Hookworm (6.6%), Giardia lamblia (4.7%), Taenia saginata (2.4%), and mixed infection (3.3%). Although several factors showed significant association with intestinal parasitosis, attending secondary level education 94.5% (AOR: 0.055; 95% CI [0.007-0.413]), fingernail status (AOR: 0.330; 95% CI [0.113-0.965]), and hand washing with soap and water after toilet use (AOR: 0.332; 95% CI [0.125-0.884]) were the significant variables in multivariable analysis ( P < .05). Conclusions: The results demonstrated intestinal parasite infections as a public health issue in Ethiopia that requires attention. Appropriate intervention programs like encouraging food handlers to practice good hygiene, routine hand washing at key times, and nail trimming should be implemented.

Burden and factors influencing intestinal parasitic infections among food handlers in Gondar City, Northwest Ethiopia

“…This finding aligns with systematic review and meta-analysis studies from Ethiopia conducted at different times, which reported prevalence rates of 29.2 and 33.6% (13,41). Other studies from southern Ethiopia (14,29,42), Jimma town (43), Sudan (44), and Kenya (45) reported similar prevalence rates ranging from 29.4 to 39.2%. These results underscore the potential for food handlers to transmit intestinal parasites to consumers, emphasizing the importance of implementing screening and mass drug administration programs to curb the spread of infections within food establishments.…”

“…The prevalence of mixed infections of intestinal parasitic infections among food handlers is alarmingly high at 9.3%. This percentage is notably greater than what has been observed in various regions of Ethiopia, such as Tigray, the University of Southern Ethiopia, Southern Ethiopia, Wolaita Sodo, and Addis Ababa, which reported prevalence rates of 3.4, 3.3, 0.6, 0.8, and 3.4%, respectively, (14,17,29,47). This prevalence of mixed infections in the current study is more than double the highest rate seen in these other areas.…”

“…Studies conducted in different settings have reported a high prevalence of intestinal parasites among food handlers, ranging from 29 to 63% (11,13,26). Studies in different parts of Ethiopia have revealed a wide variability in the prevalence of intestinal parasites among food handlers (27,28), with rates ranging from 14.5 to 46.3% (6,17,19,21,(29)(30)(31)(32)(33). A recent review in Ethiopia found that 33.6% of food handlers in food establishments were infected with E. histolytica/ dispar and Ascaris lumbricoides (13).…”

Cryptosporidiosis and Giardiasis: Two Common Foodborne Parasitic Infections

“…Safe agricultural practices in which the use of clean water for irrigation and the use of appropriate pesticides and herbicides can reduce contamination. Overall, food-borne giardiasis can be prevented through proper food handling, water purification, and safe agricultural practices (Desalegn et al 2022). Awareness campaigns and education can also play a significant role in preventing the spread of this disease.…”

Monitoring of food handlers and their influence on the preparation of ready-to-eat foods

“…Recent studies show that food handlers can carry a wide range of microorganisms and have been implicated in the transmission of many infections to the student community, which has become a common and persistent problem worldwide, associated with inadequate hygienic handling practices and lack of food safety training (15,16) .…”