Prevalence and associated risk factors of intestinal parasitic infections among food handlers in Kano Metropolis, Kano State, Nigeria

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria

2 Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Bayero University, Kano, Nigereia

3 Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections are among the most common infections worldwide and are still the cause of major human morbidity and mortality. World Health Organization (WHO) estimated about 3.5 billion people are affected with intestinal parasitic infections and yearly more than 200,000 deaths are reported. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among commercial food handlers in Kano metropolis. Methods: Stool samples were collected from 126 food handlers. The samples were examined by direct wet mount and formol-ether concentration technique. Results: The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections was 14.3%. Entamoeba histolytica was found to be the most prevalent among the parasites detected with prevalence of 5.6%. This was followed by Hookworm (4.0%), Ascaris lumbricoides (2.4%), Trichuris trichiura (1.6%) and Entamoeba coli (0.8%) respectively. No statistically significant association existed between awareness of parasite transmission, source of water and intestinal parasitic infections (P > 0.05). A statistically significant association was found between hand washing, walking barefooted and intestinal parasitic infections (P > 0.05). A statistically significant association was found between hand washing, walking barefooted and intestinal parasitic infections (P <0.001). Conclusion: This study revealed a relatively high prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among food handlers with Entamoeba histolytica being the most prevalent. Appropriate health education concerning personal hygiene should be given to food handlers so as to prevent intestinal parasitic infections.

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