scholarly journals Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infection among Food Handlers in Northwest Iran

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Davoud Balarak ◽  
Mohammad Jafari Modrek ◽  
Edris Bazrafshan ◽  
Hossein Ansari ◽  
Ferdos Kord Mostafapour

Parasitic diseases are among the most important infectious diseases and pose health problems in many countries, most especially in developing countries. Workers at food centers could transmit parasitic infections in the absence of sanitation. This is a descriptive study conducted to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in food clerks in the city of Tabriz in 2014. Data was recorded in the offices of the health center for all food handlers who were referred to the laboratory for demographic and stool tests to receive the health card. Parasitic infection was observed in 172 cases (3.73%) of 4612 samples. A total of 156 positive samples (90.69%) were related to protozoa and 16 (9.3%) were related to helminthes. Most of the parasitic infections were related toGiardiaandEntamoeba coliand the lowest infection was related toH. nana. Also, there was a significant relationship between level of education and parasitic infection rate (P=0.0044). But there was no significant difference between the type of infection and amount of intestinal parasites. The results show that the prevalence of intestinal parasites, especially pathogenic protozoa, is common in some food handlers. Therefore, more sanitary controls are required and increasing of education will play a crucial role in improving the health of these people.

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 102-104
Author(s):  
Faezehsadat Heidarii ◽  
◽  
Zohre Akhondimeybodi ◽  
Mohammadshahab Abbasi Sarcheshme ◽  
Mahdie Hamidfar ◽  
...  

Intestinal parasitic infection (IPI) is a public health problem in developing countries. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of IPIs among applicants for receiving health card in Zarch –a city in Iran-. The current study is a crosssectional descriptive study. This study was conducted with the participation of all food-related people who had referred to Zarch–in Yazd province of Iran- health center to receive a health card in 2020. Finally, the study data were analyzed by SPSS version 22. The results of this study showed that out of 600 participants related to food industry, only 1.3% had intestinal parasites. Also, the frequency distribution of the age of the clients showed that the highest number of participants is related to the age group of 26-35. The education level of the participants showed that more individuals (41.5%) had a diploma. Occupationally, 24% of the participants were related to food industry factories, followed by bakeries. In order to further reduce in the level of contamination with IPI, it is necessary to provide the necessary training to those involved in related- jobs specially the food industry


2014 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farnaz Kheirandish ◽  
Mohammad Javad Tarahi ◽  
Behrouz Ezatpour

Parasitic infection is one of the problems that affect human health, especially in developing countries. In this study, all of the fast food shops, restaurants, and roast meat outlets of Khorramabad (Western Iran) and all the staff employed by them, some 210 people, were selected through a census and their stools were examined for the presence of parasites. The parasitological tests of direct wet-mount, Lugol's iodine staining, formaldehyde-ether sedimentation and Trichrome staining techniques were performed on the samples. The data was analyzed with a chi-square test and logistic regression was selected as the analytical model. The results showed 19 (9%) stool specimens were positive for different intestinal parasites. These intestinal parasites included Giardia lamblia2.9%, Entamoeba coli 4.3%, Blastocystis sp. 1.4%, and Hymenolepis nana 0.5%. There was a significant difference between the presence of a valid health card, awareness of transmission of intestinal parasites, participation in training courses in environmental health with intestinal parasites (p < 0.05). No statistically significant difference was found between the rate of literacy and gender among patients infected with intestinal parasites (p > 0.05). To control parasitic infection in food handlers, several strategies are recommended such as stool examinations every three months, public education, application of health regulations, controlling the validity of health cards and training on parasitic infection transmission. In this regard, the findings of the present study can be used as a basis to develop preventive programs targeting food handlers because the spread of disease via them is a common problem worldwide.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asfaw Negero ◽  
Tomas Benti ◽  
Solomon Taye

Abstract Background: Intestinal parasitic infections are the most common infections in the developing world. Globally, out of the 1.5 billion annual cases of diarrhea, about 70% or 1.05 billion cases are thought to be caused by biological contamination of food. In Ethiopia, due to poor environmental sanitation, low awareness about personal hygiene, lack of pure potable water, and improper faecal disposal, intestinal parasitic infections are highly prevalent. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of intestinal parasitosis among food handlers working in food and drinking establishments in Ginnir town, southeast, Ethiopia.Methods: Cross-sectional study design was employed from May 1 to May 29, 2014 in food and drinking establishments in Ginnir town. A total of 348 food handlers were enrolled and stool specimens were collected, and examined using direct saline and formol-ether concentration methods. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed. A P-value <0.05 was considered as an indicator of statistical significance.Results: The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitosis among food handlers was 48/348 (13.8%) [95%, CI=6.8-20.6]. Entamoeba histolytica/dispar 23/348 (6.6%) followed by Giardia lamblia 16/348 (4.6%), Ascaris lumbricoides 7/348 (2.0%) and Strongyloides stercolaris 2/348 (0.6%) were the detected parasites. Moreover, amongst positives for intestinal parasites, comparable proportions of parasites were detected in males (52%) and females (48%). Habit of eating raw/under cooked vegetables (p=0.00; aOR=2.60; 95%, CI=1.94-8.67), hand washing habit before eating (p=0.03; aOR=1.22; 95%, CI=1.01-3.89), hand washing habit after visiting toilet (p=0.01; aOR=2.85; 95%, CI=2.06-8.31), hand washing habit before food preparation (p=0.02; aOR=1.85; 95%, CI=1.27-4.34) and poor personal hygiene (p=0.00; aOR=3.39; 95%, CI=1.51-10.23) were factors associated with intestinal parasitic infections.Conclusions: The prevalence of intestinal parasitosis among food handlers was relatively low. Though the prevalence was low; regular medical check-up, training and health education on safe food handling and processing should be given to all food handlers.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Solomon Yeshanew ◽  
Melaku Tadege ◽  
Abdulhakim Abamecha

Food handlers are important sources of intestinal parasitic infection to the public and mass catering service areas. Several reports worldwide particularly in developing countries showed a high prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among these groups of individuals. In an attempt to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites, a cross-sectional study was carried out among food handlers in food establishment areas of Mettu town, Southwest Ethiopia. To collect sociodemographic characteristics of the study participants, a structured questionnaire and physical observation were employed. Stool specimens collected from each food handlers participated in the study were then examined using light microscopy of the wet mount followed by formol-ether concentration methods to see infection status. A total of 139 food handlers were enrolled in the study. Majority of them were females 89 (64%), and 124 (89.2%) of them had not taken any training related to food handling and preparation. Sixty-two (44.6%) of the study participants were diagnosed with one or more intestinal parasites. The chi-square test showed that intestinal parasite infection was found associated with personal hygiene ( p  ≤ 0.0001), nail trimming status ( p  ≤ 0.0001), and hair cover status ( p  ≤ 0.040). The multivariable logistic regression indicated that the risk to be infected with intestinal parasites were related with older age ( p  ≤ 0.032), food handlers who had no hand wash practices ( p  ≤ 0.033), who had no food handling and preparation training ( p  ≤ 0.005), poor personal hygiene ( p  ≤ 0.0001), who had not taken regular medical checkup ( p  ≤ 0.008), and whose nail was not trimmed ( p  ≤ 0.0001). The most abundant intestinal parasite identified was G. lamblia (24, 26.7%) followed by E. histolytica/dispar (22, 24.4%), and A. lumbricoides (15, 16.7%). Twenty-eight (45.2%) study individuals were also found with mixed infections. The study thus revealed a high prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection among apparently healthy food handlers in food establishments of the study area. Mass drug administration for all food handlers working in food establishment areas of the town coupled with health education and training should be initiated urgently.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Sunil Tulshiram Hajare ◽  
Robe Kuti Gobena ◽  
Nitin Mahendra Chauhan ◽  
Feleke Erniso

Intestinal parasites are responsible for one of the major health problems like food contamination with socioeconomic effects in the world with a prevalence rate of 30-60%, in developing countries that lie within tropical and subtropical areas. They pose a reasonable public health burden, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, including Ethiopia. Globally, due to intestinal parasitic infections, around 3.5 billion people are affected and more than 200,000 deaths are reported annually. Around 50000 deaths yearly are caused by intestinal parasites in Ethiopia. As such, intestinal parasites perceived global and local burdens to various countries. The risk of food contamination depends largely on the health status of the food handlers, their hygiene, knowledge, and practice of food hygiene. Food handlers with poor personal hygiene and sanitation conditions are the major potential sources of intestinal helminthes and protozoa worldwide. The proposed study was aimed at evaluating prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections and their associated factors among food handlers working in selected catering establishments. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Bule Hora Town from March to April 2020. A total of 136 catering establishments were selected using a systematic sampling technique. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 20. The prevalence of intestinal parasites in this study was 46.3%. Entamoeba histolytica was the most predominant parasite (33.3%, i.e., 21/63) while Giardia lamblia was the least (11.1%, i.e., 7/63). Consumption of vended or borehole water and hygienic practices such as hand washing before eating, after using toilet, before cooking and trimming of finger nail and wearing proper working clothes and shoes were statistically significant with intestinal parasitic infection ( P < 0.05 ). Generally, the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection in this study was high and contributed by low socioeconomic status and poor environmental and personal hygiene. Measures including education on personal hygiene, environmental sanitation, drinking water supply, regular medical checkups, and treatment should be taken into account to reduce the prevalence of intestinal parasites.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Bijay Kumar Shrestha ◽  
Manita Tumbahangphe ◽  
Jenish Shakya ◽  
Anu Rai ◽  
Kabita Dhakal ◽  
...  

Introduction. Intestinal parasitic infections are most common and prevalent among children and accounts for great morbidity and mortality. Objective. This research is aimed at studying the prevalence and related risk factors of parasitic infections among private school-going pupils of Dharan Submetropolitan City. Methods and Materials. This was a cross-sectional laboratory-based study conducted from 13 November 2018 to 26 February 2019 among 400 private school pupils. The stool samples were collected and microscopically examined for parasites using the formalin ethyl acetate sedimentation technique. Data Analysis. Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS version 16.0. Pearson’s Chi-square test was used to establish association between dependent and independent variables. The association was also determined using crude and adjusted odds ratio, and the test considered a P value < 0.05 as statistically significant with 95% confidence interval. Result. In this study, 46 (11.5%) children were positive for intestinal parasites. In this study, 3 protozoans (Entamoeba histolytica = 3 (0.75%)) and 43 helminths (Ascaris lumbricoides = 22 (5.5%); Enterobiusvermicularis = 6 (1.5%); Ancylostoma duodenale = 2 (0.5%); and Trichuris trichiura = 13 (3.25%)) were isolated and identified. Statistically, significant difference in the parasitic prevalence with respect to age and gender was not seen ( P > 0.05 ). However, the prevalence of parasitic infection was strongly associated with the ethnicity of the pupils ( P = 0.001 ). The strong associated risk factors of intestinal parasitic infections were nail-biting habit, source of drinking water, biannual deworming, thumb-sucking, hand sanitation before having food and after toilet, knowledge of parents on parasitosis, health and sanitation, keeping cat/dog as pet, and wearing protective shoes during play ( P = 0.001 ). Bowel syndromes like abdominal cramp and constipation also had a strong statistical association ( P = 0.001 ) with the prevalence of parasitic infection. According to binary and multivariate logistic regression analyses, the parents without awareness, pupils with a nail-biting habit, pupils not wearing shoes during play, lack of deworming, drinking direct tap water, and pupils with poor hand sanitation were more likely to be infested with intestinal parasitic infections. Conclusion. This study concludes that intestinal parasites are still prevalent among private school-going pupils of Dharan Submetropolitan City. The poor sanitation and sanitary habits like biting nails, consumption of untreated drinking water, and failure to practice proper hand washing were studied as contributors to the acquisition of intestinal parasitic infections. Therefore, integration of control measures such as provision of clean and safe drinking water, improved sanitation and hygiene, with biannual administration of drugs are necessary for effective eradication of parasitic infections.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 284-287
Author(s):  
S. Viesy ◽  
J. Abdi ◽  
Z. Rezaei

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections are the one of the most common health problems in developing countries. Objective: A number of patients die annually due to complications caused by these parasites.Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the rate and type of parasitic infections, determine the factors affecting them in Ilam city and also provide strategies to prevent them.In this descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in one of the Ilam labs in 2016, 417 stool specimens were randomly collected. All specimens were examined using direct and ethanol formaldehyde.Suspect specimens were examined using Trichrom staining. Demographic information was also recorded in a questionnaire, and finally the results were analyzed using statistical software SPSS 20.The data were then compared with Chi-square test. Results: Out of the 417 patients examined, 59 (14.1%) were infected with intestinal parasites. The type of parasitic infection in 9.4% was Blastocystis hominis, 3.6% Entamoeba coli, 0.5% Entamoeba histolytica, 0.5% Giardia and 0.2% Trichomonas hominis. Conclusion: Despite the improvement of public health, parasitic infections are still considered as one of the health problems in the city of Ilam. Therefore, proper planning, public health education, raising the level of health in the area and the provision of safe drinking water are some of the ways to reduce parasitic infections in the region.


Author(s):  
Arcelia González-García ◽  
Claudia Hernández-Salas ◽  
Rosa Maria Martínez-Ortiz ◽  
Lilia González-Martínez

Introduction: Nowadays in our state, intestinal parasitic diseases are still endemic, with a greater frequency in rural and mountainous urban areas. After the years have elapsed since the last national survey, it was necessary to carry out a new survey to know the prevalence rates of intestinal parasitosis and to compare the results obtained between both studies. Such knowledge would be of great value in developing health strategies and designing intestinal parasitic infection control programs. Objective: to determine the current prevalence rates of intestinal parasites, to compare the results with those of the survey obtained. Methods: a random cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out during the months of December 2018 to March 2019 in a random sample of both sexes from the population of urban communities and the province of Zacatecas, Zac. Each one had a stool sample collected that was analyzed by the direct examination method, the Willis concentration technique, and the Kato-Katz examination; A questionnaire was also applied to them. Results: when comparing the results of the national and state surveys of intestinal parasitic infections carried out in 2009 and 2018, it was found that, in general, infections by parasites decreased, both helminths and pathogenic protozoa, although those infected with commensals increased their frequency in that of 2019. There was also a decrease in the frequency of infections by all species of soil-transmitted helminths, Trichuris trichiura, Ascaris lumbricoides, ancylostomideos, and Strongyloides stercoralis, as well as by the pathogenic protozoa Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolitica. Conclusions: when comparing the results of national and state surveys of intestinal parasite infections carried out in 2018 and 2019, it was found that in general the frequencies of infections with intestinal parasites decreased. The finding in both studies of a higher frequency of infection with parasites or commensals in the group aged 5 to 14 years (school age), supports the recommendation to place emphasis on control programs for intestinal parasites in this age group.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
S. N. Odoemene ◽  
A. S. Oluwole ◽  
H. O. Mogaji ◽  
M. V. Adegbola ◽  
O. O. Omitola ◽  
...  

Polyparasitism is widespread in many communities in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, there is paucity of data on polyparasitism in infants and preschool-aged children (IPSAC), to inform policy developments. Therefore, a survey of 1110 consented IPSAC was undertaken in Egbedore Local Government Area (LGA), Osun State, Nigeria, to determine the prevalence of polyparasitism in IPSAC in ten randomly selected rural communities. Fresh stool and blood samples were collected and processed for intestinal parasites and malaria infection. Mothers/caregivers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire to obtain demographic data of their IPSAC and to document knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) on parasitic infections. Data obtained through the questionnaire were analyzed using EpiData version 3.1, while parasitological data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (version 20.0). Descriptive statistics were computed for demographic data and association which were tested using bivariate analysis at a 95% confidence level while significance was set at p<0.05. The results showed that 349 (46.29%) were infected with a single parasite. Infants and preschool-aged children infected with double, triple, and quadruple parasites are 268 (35.54%), 122 (16.18%), and 15 (1.99%), respectively. The prevalence of polyparasitism is 405 (53.71%). Although females (54.07%) were more infected than males (45.93%), there was no significant difference (p>0.05) observed. Significantly (p<0.05) more preschool children (65.93%) harbour more infections than the infants do (34.07%). Ara community (14.81%) had the highest cases of polyparasitized IPSAC, but no significant difference (p>0.05) was observed across the communities. Double parasitic infection of Plasmodium falciparum and Ascaris lumbricoides (30.12%) and triple parasitic infection of P. falciparum, A. lumbricoides, and T. trichiura (14.81%) were the most common forms of polyparasitism encountered in the study. This study showed that polyparasitism is a burden in IPSAC and needs further investigation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-188
Author(s):  
Maru Wassie Yenene ◽  
Abayneh Unasho Gandile

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) have been still quite common in developing countries including Ethiopia, particularly in children with low socio-economic and poor living conditions. Previous studies in Ethiopia have shown high burden of intestinal parasitic infections among the primary school children. The effective prevention and control of parasitic infections require research work based on the identification of intestinal parasites including associated predisposing factors. Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of common intestinal parasitic infections and predisposing factors among the asymptomatic primary school children. Methods: A school based cross- sectional study was conducted from September, 2019- January, 2020 and a total of 422 asymptomatic primary school children were involved in the study. Specimens of the stool samples were examined using the standard parasite and ova method. Direct microscopy using saline and iodine wet mount preparation was used to examine the presence of eggs and larvae of helminthes and trophozoites and cysts of protozoan parasites and formalin ether concentration method was used for quality assurance. Structured questionnaires were also used to collect quantitative data on socio-demographic characteristics and predisposing factors. Analysis of the data was made manually using the thematic framework method including descriptive statistics. Results: Among the 422 students (aged 5-14 years) participated in the study, 245(58%) were positive for one or more intestinal parasites. Of the total infected participants, 192(45.5%) were single infections and 53(12.6%) were double infections identified. Seven types of intestinal parasitic infections were identified in the present study. The most prevalent parasite was Giardia lamblia 95(22.5%) followed by hook worm 58(13.7%). Age groups 5-9 years old were more infected, 173 (70.6%) than age groups 10-14 years old 72(29.4%). This result also showed parasitic infections were associated with predisposing factors related to infectious cycles. Concluding Remarks and Recommendations: The present study revealed that there was a high prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection among students in the targeted primary schools. Therefore, all stakeholders should give attention to raise awareness about the prevention and control mechanisms of intestinal parasitic infections. Moreover, the health services of the local government should develop a habit of mass public health education and deworming intervention to improve the level of parasitic infection and environmental hygiene in the study area.


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