%0 Journal Article
%T Prevalence of Salmonella typhi and intestinal parasites among food handlers in Bahir Dar Town, Northwest Ethiopia.
%A B Abera
%A F Biadegelgen
%A B Bezabih
%J Ethiopian Journal of Health Development
%D 2010
%I 
%X Background: Food borne diseases are a global public health problem. Food handlers play a major role for the transmission of food borne diseases. Objectives: This study was aimed at exploring the prevalence of intestinal parasites, S. typhi carrier rate and risk factors among food handlers at Bahir Dar town. Methods: A cross -sectional survey was conducted among food handlers working in different kitchens. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used for collecting data. Stool samples were investigated for intestinal parasites and S. typhi as per the standard laboratory methods. Results: Among 384 food handlers, females comprised 300 (78%). The majority 371 (96.6%) were young adults (12-40 years). The median year of service was 1 year (1 month to 24 years). All food handlers had no previous medical checkup and 54 (14%) were certified as food handlers. One hundred fifty eight (41.1%) food handlers had intestinal parasites and 6 (1.6%) were found positive for S. typhi. Of these, 25 (6.5%) were suffering from diarrhoea. Nine species of intestinal parasites, 2 protozoa (E. histolytica/dispar 12.76% and G. lamblia 7. 0%) and 7 helminthes (A. lumbricoides, 11.7%, Hookworm, 8.1%, S. stercoralis, 2.86%, S. mansoni, 1.8%, Taenia species, 1.3%, H. nana, 0.5% and T. trichiuria, 0.5%) were detected. Conclusion: Inexperienced and poor personal hygienic food handlers play a role for transmission of food borne infections. Local health authorities should implement food handler¡¯s training on food safety, institute periodic focused medical check up for food handlers and improve human waste disposal. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2010;24(1):46-50]
%U http://www.ajol.info/index.php/ejhd/article/view/62944