Identification Of Parasitic Infections In Food Handlers And The Imminent Risks Of Transmission To School-Aged Children

Abstract

Introduction: Most diseases transmitted by food contaminated by protozoa and/or helminths are originated from food improper handling. This fact is related to poor hygiene conditions in the food handling environment or the practices of food handlers. Objective: The aim of this study was to identify parasitic diseases in food handlers, as well as the risk of transmission to school-aged children. Methods: This is a literature review accomplished through researchers in Pubmed, Academic OneFile, SciELO and Google Scholar. The review comprised 40 articles published in the period from 2009 to 2019. In order effect the review, were included in this study literature reviews and original articles, identified in the aforementioned databases and which met the inclusion criteria: having their publication in indexed journals, articles with abstracts and full texts available online, articles published in Portuguese, English or Spanish in the last ten years. Studies whose year of publication was less than 2009 were excluded. Results: Enteroparasitosis are a serious public health problem that affects the world population. This fact is mainly related to the ingestion of contaminated food, having a direct connection with those who handle it. Conclusion: Therefore, food handlers have an important role in the transmissibility of diseases and food security.