RISK FACTORS OF INTESTINAL PARASITES AMONG FOOD HANDLERS IN EGYPT

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain-Shams University, Cairo 11566

Abstract

Food handlers play an important role in transmission of intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) 
during manufacturing, processing, handling, and serving of foodstuff. This study determined the 
prevalence of IPIs among food handlers in Greater Cairo, and the associated risk factors. A cross 
sectional study was designed as 250 food handlers attending four provision health offices from 
different governorates of Greater Cairo were examined. Demographic data and risk factors that 
increase the IPIs transmission were collected in designed questionnaire. Stool samples were col
lected and examined by direct wet/iodine mounts, formol diethyl acetate concentration, and 
modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining techniques. The results showed that sixty-five food handlers 
(26%) had IPIs. The commonest detected parasites were Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (24.6%), 
Entamoeba coli (20%), Blastocystis hominis (16.9%), Giardia intestinalis (12.3%), Enterobius 
vermicularis (10.8 %), and Ascaris lumbricoides (7.7 %). A higher significant (p<0.001) preva
lence of IPIs was among food handlers from rural areas, with low educational levels, having nei
ther health certificates nor personal hygienic control. However, insignificant differences were 
noticed regarding age, sex, and working experience.

Keywords

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics