PREVALENCE OF SALMONELLA AND INTESTINAL PARASITES AMONG FOOD HANDLERS PREDISPOSE CONSUMERS TO SIGNIFICANT HEALTH RISKS

Abstract

Background and objectives: Food borne diseases are a global public health problem and food handlers play a major role for the transmission of food borne diseases. This study was aimed at exploring the prevalence of intestinal parasites, Salmonella typhi carrier rate and risk factors of infection with typhoid and/or intestinal parasites among food handlers at Ibb city, Yemen.

Subjects and methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted among three hundred and fifteen food handlers, in age ranges from 14 to 65 years. All individuals were working in restaurants, cafeterias or school buffets in Ibb city. For collecting data; a pre-tested structured questionnaire was used. Stool samples were examined for intestinal parasites microscopy and for S. typhi by stool culture media and blood for detection antibodies per the standard laboratory methods were used.

Results: A total of 315 food handlers in Ibb city over a 12-month period were enrolled in this study, ages ranged from 14 to 65 years, with a mean±SD age of 31.2±11.9 years. The highest prevalence of antibodies against S. typhi antigen suspension O was 18.4%, while antibodies against S. typhi H antigen suspension were 7.6%. Also, the positive rate for total S. typhi antibodies ELISA IgG was 9.5% and the positive rate for S. typhi stool cultures was 7.3%.  The overall prevalence of intestinal protozoa was 20%, the most intestinal parasitic prevalent was Entamoeba histolytica (15.6%), followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (12.1%), Hymenolepis nana (4.4%), and Schistosoma mansoni (3.2%).

Conclusion: Inexperienced and poor personal hygienic food handlers play a role in the transmission of food-borne infections. Local health authorities should implement food handlers training on food safety, institute periodic focused medical check-up for food handlers and improve human waste disposal.

                        

Peer Review History:

Received: 8 December 2022; Revised: 11 January; Accepted: 27 February 2023; Available online: 15 March 2023

Academic Editor: Dr. A.A. Mgbahurike, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, amaka_mgbahurike@yahoo.com

Received file:                             Reviewer's Comments:

Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 5.5/10

Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.0/10

Reviewers:

Rola Jadallah, Arab American University, Palestine, rola@aauj.edu

Dr. Tamer Elhabibi, Suez Canal University, Egypt, tamer_hassan@pharm.suez.edu.eg

Dr. Wadhah Hassan Ali Edrees, Hajja University, Yemen, edress2020@gmail.com

Dr. Rawaa Souhil Al-Kayali, Aleppo University, Syria, rawah67@hotmail.com