Abstract
Food borne diseases/illnesses (food borne infections) are global public health problem both in developed and developing countries such as Nigeria. Food handlers play an important role in the transmission of food-borne diseases. This research work is aimed to determine the prevalence of salmonellosis among food handlers and its implications on the health of food consumers in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria. Two hundred and thirty five (235) blood samples were collected into EDTA bottles from the food handlers at various locations in Victoria Island (Lagos Island) and Bariga (Lagos mainland) which were analyzed using standard methods. Questionnaires were distributed and collated among 235 respondents (food handlers) to test their knowledge on food safety. The results showed that 74 (31.5%) of the studied population had either previous or recent Salmonella infection as indicated by IgG and IgM anti-Salmonella immunoglobulin while 161 (68.5%) had neither recent nor previous infection. Ninety three (93) respondents were males while One hundred and forty two (142) were females of active working age bracket of 11- 60 years old. Among 93 males screened, 26(28.0%) were infected, 67(72.0%) were not infected while 48(33.8%) females were infected out of 142 females screened for Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi and Paratyphi infections. Regression and T-test statistical analysis reviewed that since F cal>F tab (1.776>0.969) and t cal>t tab (6.5>5.0), it can be concluded that food handlers were not responsible for food borne infections but potential risk factors in Lagos, Southwest, Nigeria.
Highlights
Food borne diseases/food borne illnesses are global public health problem both in developed and developing countries such as Nigeria
None of these food handlers had food hygiene training workshop prior to their venturing into food business
Information gathered from the food handler’s to deduced the level of their knowledge or awareness about Salmonellosis were assessed, and it was discovered that 160(68.1%) had prior knowledge of typhoid fever while 75(31.9%) claimed not to heard about typhoid fever or the knowledge of it before
Summary
Food borne diseases/food borne illnesses (food borne infections) are global public health problem both in developed and developing countries such as Nigeria. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that in developed countries, up to 30% of the population suffers from food borne diseases or illnesses each year, while in developing countries up to two (2) million deaths are estimated per year [1]. Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi and Paratyphi is one of the major causes of food and water borne gastroenteritis (food infection) in human, and remains an important public health problem worldwide [3]. Typhoid fever is among the major widespread diseases affecting the population in Nigeria and has been rated eight among these infections. Nigeria like any other developing countries has been described as an endemic zone for typhoid fever [6,7]
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