Abstract

Parasitic infection is one of the problems that affect human health, especially in developing countries. Over 800 food borne disease outbreaks are reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and most commonly occur in a restaurant setting.

A Descriptive Cross-sectional, Restaurants based, study was conducted for 360 food handlers in 96 restaurants, in Khartoum state, between June 2016 and March 2020. The general objective of this study to detect the prevalence of the common. Parasitic diseases associated with food handler in restaurants workers in Khartoum State.

Data were collected from food handlers by using Adapted verbal autopsy questionnaire, and Samples of stool (360 samples) were collected from food handlers, and placed in sterile plastic containers, properly identified with the names of the food handlers and the place of their work was written. Samples were examined in Khartoum state public health Laboratory; Intestinal parasites were examined and identified by wet preparation method by direct microscope examination. The prevalence of intestinal parasitic diseases in Khartoum state was 10%. The main parasite was Giardia (6.9%) followed by Entamoeba-histolytica (2.8%) high prevalence of intestinal parasitic diseases were found in Jabal_awliya locality (30.8%) of food handlers were found positive for giardiasis and 15.4% for Entamiba-histoletica while half of the food handlers found negative, followed by Omdurman locality 15.7% of food handlers were found positive for giardiasis 2% for E-H. and Shareq_Alneel locality (7.3%) found positive for giardiasis and 9.8% for Entamiba-histoletica and Khartoum locality found a negative result while 4.1% positive for giardiasis, In Karari locality was found (2.9%) positive for giardiasis and 2.9% for Entamiba-histoletica, in Ombadiah locality, 2.5% found positive for giardiasis and 2.5% for Entamiba–histoletica , all food handlers in Bahriy locality were found negative for all isolated parasite sample. The positive for giardiasis found high occurrence in female 12% while male 6%. For positive of Entamiba- histoletica found in male only (3.2%). Regarding of age group in age 40 years and more most of positive parasite sample were found for giardiasis (23.1%), knowledge about Transmission of foodborne diseases found significant risk factors for isolated intestinal parasite of food handlers (p value 0.041, odd ratio = 2). The occurrence of parasites odds in food handlers do not know the transmission of food disease was 2 times higher than odds occurrence of parasites in food, handlers know transmission of food disease a significant risk factors association between attitude toward Training and learning about food safety and isolated intestinal parasite (p value = .020 , OR=2.713).

In conclusions, therefore the main recommendations are: further studies should be undertaken on the prevalence of intestinal parasite infections and Continuous midecal checkup of food handlers should be mandatory to more alleviate the Prevalence of intestinal parasites.