Abstract:
Introduction: Humans face a global public health and economic concern as a result of unsafe food. Diseases
such as Salmonellosis, Shigella, and intestinal parasites remain a major public health problem worldwide. The
problem is especially acute in developing countries due to the personal hygiene and handling practices of food
handlers. Food handlers have been caught by various pathogens and are being transmitted to the community.
Hence, this study is aimed at assessing the presence of intestinal parasites, Salmonella and Shigella, associated
risk factors and antibiotics susceptibility pattern of isolates among food handlers in selected governmental
hospitals of Jimma zone, Southwest Ethiopia.
Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 118 food handlers from June 15
to August 14, 2022. Four governmental hospitals which give food service to inpatients were sampled. Direct
wet mount and formol-ether concentration techniques were applied for microscopy identification of intestinal
parasites from feces samples. Culturing technique and biochemical tests were used to isolate Salmonella and
Shigella species. Additionally, antimicrobial susceptibility test to selected antibiotics was performed using
Kirby-Baur disk diffusion method on Muller-Hinton Agar. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS software
version 25
Results: In this study, 118 food handlers were participated and 87.3% were females. Out of 118 stool specimens
36(30.5%) were positive for intestinal parasites. The most prevalent parasite was Ascaris lumbricoide
17(14.4%) and followed by Giardia lamblia 9(7.6%). Regarding enteric bacteria 13(11%) food handlers were
positive for Salmonella and no Shigella species was isolated. Salmonella isolates were highest resistance to
Ampicillin 13(100%). However, among all Chloramphenicol 2(15%) shows the highest intermediate. Whereas
Ceftriaxone 13(100%), Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid Ciprofloxacin 11(85%), and Chloramphenicol 10(77%),
were detected susceptible respectively. Habit of hand washing after visiting toilet, regular medical checkup last
6 month, deworming and untrimmed nail status were significantly associated with Intestinal Parasites and
salmonella species infection.
Conclusion: The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections and Salmonella indicates the importance of food
handlers as probable sources of enteropathogenic infections. In this study, 30.5% of stool specimens were
positive for different intestinal parasites. Salmonella isolation rate was 11%. Therefore, constant surveillance,
improvement of personal hygiene, and taking anti helminthic/protozoa drug and periodic medical check-up are
recommended to control pathogens infection in food handlers
