title: Prevalence of intestinal parasites among food handlers in Western Iran.
abstract: Parasitic infection is one of the problems that affect human health, especially in developing countries. In this study, all of the fast food shops, restaurants, and roast meat outlets of Khorramabad (Western Iran) and all the staff employed by them, some 210 people, were selected through a census and their stools were examined for the presence of parasites. The parasitological tests of direct wet-mount, Lugol's iodine staining, formaldehyde-ether sedimentation and Trichrome staining techniques were performed on the samples. The data was analyzed with a chi-square test and logistic regression was selected as the analytical model. The results showed 19 (9%) stool specimens were positive for different intestinal parasites. These intestinal parasites included Giardia lamblia 2.9%, Entamoeba coli 4.3%, Blastocystis sp. 1.4%, and Hymenolepis nana 0.5%. There was a significant difference between the presence of a valid health card, awareness of transmission of intestinal parasites, participation in training courses in environmental health with intestinal parasites (p < 0.05). No statistically significant difference was found between the rate of literacy and gender among patients infected with intestinal parasites (p > 0.05). To control parasitic infection in food handlers, several strategies are recommended such as stool examinations every three months, public education, application of health regulations, controlling the validity of health cards and training on parasitic infection transmission. In this regard, the findings of the present study can be used as a basis to develop preventive programs targeting food handlers because the spread of disease via them is a common problem worldwide.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, 381351698, Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran. Tel/Fax: +98 661 6200133, P.O. Box: 381351698. E-mail:kheirandish81@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Farnaz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kheirandish
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 1471613151, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, Tel/Fax: +98 21 88989127, P.O. Box: 1471613151. E-mail:tarrahi_mj@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Mohammad Javad
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Tarahi
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Razi Herbal Medicines Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, 381351698, Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Razi Herbal Medicines Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran. Tel/Fax: +98 661 6200133, P.O. Box: 381351698. E-mail:bezatpour@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Behrouz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ezatpour
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D016844:Blastocystis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004747:Entamoeba / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D005511:Food Handling; D016829:Giardia lamblia / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D006925:Hymenolepiasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D048189:Hymenolepis nana / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011528:Protozoan Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D012147:Restaurants; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult