Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in certified food-handlers working in food establishments in the City of Nairobi, Kenya
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Date
2012
Authors
Kamau, Paul
Aloo, P. A.
Kabiru, Ephantus W.
Ombacho, Kepha
Langat, Bernard
Mucherue, Obadiah
Ireri, Laban
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier
Abstract
Most intestinal parasites are cosmopolitan with the highest prevalence in the tropics and subtopics. Rural-to-urban
migration rapidly increases the number of food eating places in towns and their environs. Some of these eating
estabishments have poor sanitation and are overcrowded, facilitating disease transmission, especially through
food-handling. Our investigations in Nairobi, therefore, were set to determine the presence of intestinal parasites in
food-handlers with valid medical certificates. Direct and concentrated stool processing techniques were used. Chisquare
test and ANOVA were used for data analysis. The parasites Ascaris lumbricoides, Entamoeba histolytica
and Giardia lamblia were observed in certified food-handlers. Significant difference was found in parasite
frequency by eating classes and gender (χ2 = 9.49, P = 0.73), (F = 1.495, P = 0.297), but not in parasite occurrence
between age brackets (χ2 = 6.99, P = 0.039). The six-month medical certificate validity period may contribute
significantly to the presence of intestinal parasites in certified food-handlers.
Description
Keywords
parasites, food handlers, medical certificate, food establishments
Citation
Journal of Biomedical Research，2012，26(2):84-89