Assessment of bacterial hand contamination among food handlers working in the student cafeterias of jimma university main campus, jimma, south west Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Food borne diseases continue to be a major global health problem and are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Food handlers play a major role in the transmission of food borne pathogens via hands. This study aimed to assess the bacterial hand contamination among food handlers working in the student cafeterias of Jimma University main campus. Methods and materials: A cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2012 to April 2013 among food handlers working in the student cafeterias of JU main campus. The data was collected by using structured questionnaire and observational checklist. Hand rinse samples was collected from participants and microbiologically examined for the presence of potential food borne bacterial contaminants using standard laboratory methods. The data was entered into a computer and analyzed using SPSS version-16.0 software. Result: Among 230 food handlers, 114(49.6%) were tested positive for one or more potential food borne bacterial contaminants, and 73(31.7%) were tested positive for enteric pathogens. A total of 171 bacterial hand contaminants were isolated. S. aureus 54(23.5%), Klebsiella spp. 37(16.1%), E.coli 25 (10.9%), Enterobacter spp. 21(9.1%), Citrobacter spp. 10(4.3%), Serratia marcescens 6 (2.6%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa 8(3.5%), Proteus spp. 5(2.2%), Providencia rettegri 3(1.3), and salmonella spp. 2(0.9%) were isolated with their corresponding prevalence rate. Bacterial hand contamination rate have significant association with service years (Chi-square=13.732, DF=4, P=0.008), age (χ2= 11.308, P=0.010) and cleanness of outer garments (χ2=7.653, P=0.006). Conclusion: The findings of this study emphasized the importance of food handlers’ hands as a potential vector for potential food borne bacterial contaminants which could constitute a potential risk to food borne outbreaks. New employees and young and inexperienced food handlers should be well trained on personal hygienic practices pointing out on the importance of hand hygiene and appropriate hand washing techniques.