Survey of Intestinal Parasites Including Associated Risk Factors Among Food Vendors and Slaughterhouse Workers in Metro Manila, Philippines

Abstract

Infections by intestinal parasites are considered as one of the major health concerns in developing countries afflicting different groups of people including food handlers and food vendors and are linked to poor personal hygiene and sanitation. This raises public health issues as food vendors and handlers may potentially become agents for the fecal-oral transmission of intestinal parasitic infections to consumers. This study focused on determining the prevalence of intestinal parasites among slaughter house workers and food vendors and examined their personal and food hygiene practices. A small-scale survey was conducted and selected a total of 91 slaughter house workers and food vendors from different areas in Metro Manila. Microscopic examination of the fecal samples collected was done following standard procedures by the World Health Organization (WHO) thru direct smear, formalin-ethyl acetate sedimentation and staining methods. Participants were also interviewed on their food and personal hygiene practices using a questionnaire. The overall prevalence of parasitic infection was 90% with helminthic predominating protozoan infections. Eight (8) different intestinal parasites were identified: Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar (15.6%), Balantidium coli (8.4%), Giardia lamblia (4.2%), Ascaris lumbricoides (30%), Trichuris trichiura (14.9%), Ancyclostoma duodenale/ Necator americanus (2.3%). Taenia spp. (2.4%), and Enterobius vermicularis (2.9%). Other amoeba-like protozoans (19.2%) were also observed suggestive of exposure to fecal materials. Based on the results obtained, there is high levels of parasitic infections among slaughter house workers and food vendors. Raising awareness on proper food handling, improved personal hygiene and sanitation is needed to prevent further transmission of parasites to the public.

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections and Associated Factors Among Street Children in Jimma Town; South West Ethiopia in 2019: A Cross Sectional Study

“…Utensils used on street food vending were also found to be contaminated by disease causing agents (30). In addition unhygienic transfer of currencies during street food vending could also result in transfer of disease causing parasitic agents with subsequent infections (31)(32)(33). IPIs (34).…”

Entamoeba histolytica Infection in the Philippines: A Review

“…Amoebiasis caused by E. histolytica can be acquired through the intake of contaminated food and water containing infective stages of the parasite. Direct contact with contaminated water, feces, soil, and vegetation is the most common way to contract infections [9]. The significant widespreadity of this infection is more common in developing countries of the tropics and subtropics, including the Philippines, where sanitation and proper hygiene are poor or deficient.…”

“…The significant widespreadity of this infection is more common in developing countries of the tropics and subtropics, including the Philippines, where sanitation and proper hygiene are poor or deficient. The World Health Organization reported a threat of parasitic infections among 7 million Filipinos in the country after a series of food and waterborne disease outbreaks in the last five years [4,9]. Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) predictors are important in preventing the transmission of parasitic diseases; hence, a lack of clean drinking water and inadequate sanitation and hygiene standards can readily spread parasitic diseases [10].…”

Prevalence, risk factors, challenges, and the currently available diagnostic tools for the determination of helminths infections in human

“…5 Transmission of intestinal parasites is usually through contact with infected feces or ingestion of undercooked meat, drinking infected water, contaminated soil, and skin absorption. 6 When unwashed, uncooked, contaminated food is ingested by mouth then parasite travels into intestine and reproduces itself causing symptoms by their toxicity like abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue, dysentery, weight loss, muscle pain, skin irritation, sleep problem, and passing of worms in stool. 7 In children, its rate is high due to soil transmission and nail biting.…”