Abstract
IntroductionIntestinal parasites are amongst the major public health challenges facing Sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites and its associated factors among food handlers in Medebay Zana District, Tigray, Ethiopia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 401 food handler individuals selected by systematic random sampling. Binary and multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the possible association between the independent variable and outcome variables. Statistical significance was declared at p-value < 0.05 with a 95% confidence interval.ResultThe prevalence of intestinal parasites was 33.2% within this sample. The dominant parasite was Entamoeba coli 50(37.4%), followed by Entamoeba histolytica/dispar 24(18%), Entamoeba hartmanni 18(13.5), Giardia lamblia 17(12.8%), Schistosoma mansoni 8(6%), Hymenolepis nana 7(5.3%), Entervious vermicularies 6(4.5%) and Taenia species 3(2.5%).ConclusionThis study revealed a high prevalence of intestinal parasites among food handlers for a range of intestinal parasites. The significant predictors were the source of water, washing hands before food preparation, washing hands with soap and water after visiting the toilet, shower installation at the workplace, washing the body regularly and eating raw vegetables and raw meat. Hence, local health planners should implement appropriate interventional measures for the novel risk factors to mitigate the problem.
Highlights
Intestinal parasites are amongst the major public health challenges facing Sub-Saharan Africa
Those food handlers who washed their hands sometimes with soap and water after visiting the toilet were 3.54 times more likely to be positive for intestinal parasites compared to those who washed their hands always [AOR = 3.54,95% CI = 1.72–7.31]
In conclusion, this study revealed a high prevalence of intestinal parasite among food handlers who tested positive for different intestinal parasites
Summary
Intestinal parasites are amongst the major public health challenges facing Sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites and its associated factors among food handlers in Medebay Zana District, Tigray, Ethiopia. Infection with intestinal parasites remains a major public health challenge in developing countries where poor environmental sanitation, poor personal hygiene, and a low level of education are prominent [1]. Food sold in markets may be contaminated by hands that have not been washed after defecation or from carriers that land on both food and feces, thereby increasing the risk of transmission of intestinal parasites to consumers [6]. As in many developing countries, cases of intestinal parasites are highly abundant in Ethiopia. The country has the second-highest burden of Ascariasis, the third highest burden of hookworm, and the fourth highest burden of Trichuriasis in Sub-Saharan Africa [8]
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