title: Prevalence of intestinal parasites, salmonella and shigella among apparently health food handlers of Addis Ababa University student's cafeteria, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Food contamination may occur at any point during its journey through production, processing, distribution, and preparation. The risk of food getting contaminated depends largely on the health status of the food handlers, their personal hygiene, knowledge and practice of food hygiene. Food borne diseases are a public health problem in developed and developing countries like Ethiopia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross sectional study was conducted among food handlers in Addis Ababa student's cafeteria from January to May 2013. Structured questionnaire was used to collect socio demographic data and associated risk factors. Stool specimens were examined for bacteria and intestinal parasites following standard procedures. Biochemical tests were done to identify the species of bacterial isolates. Sensitivity testing was done using Kirby- Baur disk diffusion method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 172 food handlers were enrolled in the study. The majority of study participants were females 134 (77.9%). About 78 (45.3%) of food handlers were found to be positive for different intestinal parasites with the most abundant parasite of Entameoba histolytica/dispar 68 (70.8%) followed by Giardia lamblia 18 (18.8%), Taenia species 5 (5.2%), Ascaris lumbricoides 2 (2.1%), hookworm 2 (2.1%) and Trichuris trichiura 1 (1.1%). Stool cultures revealed 3.5% of Salmonella isolates (Sero-grouping on Salmonella isolate was not done), while Shigella species was not isolated from any of the stool samples obtained from Food handlers. All isolates of Salmonella were sensitive to ciprofloxacin, amikacin and gentamicin but resistant to ampicillin, clindamycin, and erythromycin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study revealed a high prevalence of intestinal parasite in asymptomatic (apparently health) food handlers. Such infected food handlers can contaminate food, drinks and could serve as source of infection to consumers via food chain.
authors.affiliation: Medicine and Health Sciences College, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia. addaklilu@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Addis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aklilu
authors.affiliation: Health Sciences College, Wolkite University, Wolkite, Ethiopia. danielasalfew@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kahase
authors.affiliation: Amsalu Higher Clinic, Addis Ababa, Ethoiopia. mekonnendessalegn@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Mekonnen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dessalegn
authors.affiliation: Pawi General Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. tarekegnnegatu@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Negatu
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tarekegn
authors.affiliation: International Clinical Laboratories, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. sabagmichael2@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Saba
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gebremichael
authors.affiliation: Ras Desta General Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. seyfezenebe@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Seyfe
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zenebe
authors.affiliation: College of Allied Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. kassudesta2020@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Kassu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Desta
authors.affiliation: College of Allied Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. gebrumulu@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Gebru
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mulugeta
authors.affiliation: St. Paul's Hospital Mellinium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. y-mamuye@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Yeshiwodim
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mamuye
authors.affiliation: Medicine and Health Sciences College, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia. muheekoo@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Mohammedaman
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mama
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000723:Ancylostomatoidea / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000818:Animals; D017164:Ascaris lumbricoides / Q000302:isolation & purification; D058345:Asymptomatic Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004405:Dysentery, Bacillary / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D004748:Entamoeba histolytica / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D005511:Food Handling; D005522:Food Services; D016829:Giardia lamblia / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene / Q000193:education; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012475:Salmonella / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012480:Salmonella Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D012760:Shigella / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013621:Taenia / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014258:Trichuris / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014495:Universities; D000078329:Workforce