Prevalence and associated factors of intestinal parasitic infections among asymptomatic food handlers working at Haramaya University cafeterias, eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

BackgroundIntestinal parasitic infections are major public health problems worldwide, with high prevalence in low income countries where substandard food hygiene practices are common. Asymptomatic food handlers with poor personal hygiene could be potential sources of parasitic infections. This study was aimed to assess the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections and associated factors among asymptomatic food handlers working at Haramaya University cafeterias, eastern Ethiopia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among asymptomatic food handlers working at Haramaya University cafeterias from August 2015 to January 2016. Population proportion to size allocation and systematic random sampling techniques were used to identify the study participants. Stool samples were collected and examined simultaneouly using direct and modified formol ether concentration wet smear techniques. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 software. Logistic regressions were applied to assess association between independent variable and intestinal parasitic infections. Statistical significance was declared at a p-value less than 0.05.ResultsA total of 417 asymptomatic food handlers were enrolled in this study. Of these, females comprised 79.4%. Large proportion (39.3%) of food handlers were in the age group of 31–40 years. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections was 25.2% (95% CI: 18.3, 29.6). Entamoeba histolytica/ dispar (46.7%) and A. lumbricoides (14.3%) were the most frequent isolates. Having no formal education [AOR: 2.13, 95% CI: 1.24, 3.67], monthly income of less than 45.7 USD [AOR: 3.86, 95% CI: 1.62, 9.20], lack of hand washing after the use of the toilet with soap [AOR: 2.43, 95% CI: 1.22, 4.86] and untrimmed fingernails [AOR: 3.31, 95% CI: 1.99, 5.49] have significant association with intestinal parasitic infections.ConclusionsThe high prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in this study highlights the importance of food handlers as probable sources of parasitic infections. Public health measures and sanitation programs should be strengthened to control the spread of intestinal parasitic infections.

Intestinal parasites among food handlers of food service establishments in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…The highest prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica/ dispar in the current study may be attributed to widespread open field defecation, the resistance nature of cyst to chlorination, the survival of the cyst for several weeks in the environment and the cyst do not need development and maturation in the environment [43]. Also, most infected individuals are asymptomatic carriers, and they continue to shed eggs for a prolonged time [21].…”

“…In Ethiopia, fragmented and dispersed studies conducted on the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among food handlers of food service establishments. The result of these studies showed variation and inconsistency in the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among food handlers: 10.9 to 45.3% in Ethiopian university cafeterias [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22], 61.9% in prisons [14], 35% in orphanage centers [23], (32.3%) public hospitals [24], 14.5 to 44% in restaurants and cafeterias [13,[25][26][27][28]. According to the result of those studies, the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among food handlers of food service establishments was wide-ranging.…”

Prevalence and factors associated with intestinal parasitic infections among food handlers working at higher public University student’s cafeterias and public food establishments in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…The lowest prevalence of IPIs among food handlers were reported in studies conducted in Wollo University student's cafeteria (15%) [11], Awi Amhara (14.75%) [23], and Aksum town, Tigray (14%) [12], whereas the highest prevalence (61.78%) was reported in a study conducted at East and West Gojjam public prison [10]. Seven of the studies were from Amhara region [10,11,[23][24][25][26][27], five from SNNP region [8,14,[28][29][30], three from Oromia region [9,13], one from Addis Ababa (7) and two from Tigray region [2,12]. However, there were no studies reported from Benishangul Gumuz, Harari and Gambela regions, and Dire Dawa.…”

“…Studies in Ethiopia showed that the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection among food handlers working at University student cafeteria's and public food establishment area such as Haramaya University cafeterias (14.3%) [9], East and West Gojjam prison (61.9%) [10], Wollo University student's cafeteria (15%) [11], Aksum Town (14.5%) [12], Jimma University Specialized Hospital (33%) [13], Addis Ababa University Students' Cafeteria (45.3%) [7], Hawassa University (20.6%) [14], and Mekelle University student's cafeteria (52.4%) [2]. However, the prevalence reflected in these small and fragmented studies varied widely and remained inconclusive.…”

Magnitude of Intestinal Parasitic Infections and Associated Factors among Food Handlers Working at Woldia University Student’s Cafeteria, Northeastern Ethiopia: An institution based cross-sectional study

“…Ethiopia [19], Haramaya University [12] and at Prison, East and West Gojjam [5]. This might be due to the fact that those food handlers who didn't wash their hands with soap after toilet may infest with intestinal infection during eating, drinking and cooking.…”