Bacterial contamination and antibiogram of isolates from health care workers' fomites at Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia

Background: Health care workers' fomites are highly predisposed to bacterial contamination in the health care setting and are potential sources of hospital-acquired infections. However, there is scarcity of data on the status of bacterial contamination and antibiogram of isolates from HCWs' fomites in Ethiopia. This study determined the bacterial contamination and antibiogram of isolates from health care workers' fomites at Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital, Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to April 2017 in different wards of the hospital. From 422 health care workers' fomites, surface samples were swabbed using a simple-rinse method. Data from participants were collected by face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. Bacterial colonies were counted and species were identified using standard bacteriological techniques. Drug susceptibility testing was performed using a disk diffusion technique. Chi-square test was computed to ascertain the association between variables. Regression analysis was computed to identify the independent risk factors. Results: Overall, 243 (57.6%) fomites were contaminated with aerobic bacteria. Working in medical (AOR=5.2, 95% CI=1.85-14.8) and gynecology (AOR=3.1, 95% CI=1.5-6.43) wards and intensive care units (AOR=16, 95% CI=2.1-17.9), and poor laundering of HCWs' uniforms (AOR=1.3, 95% CI=1.34-3.72), were significantly associated with bacterial contamination. Staphylococcus aureus (19.2%) was the predominant pathogen, followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (6.4%). The proportion of K. pneumoniae (P<0.001) and E. coli (P=0.014) was significantly highest in mobile phones and white coats, respectively. S. aureus isolates were resistant to penicillin (82.7%) and co-trimoxazole (53.1%). K. pneumoniae isolates were 100% resistant to ampicillin. E. coli isolates were 87.5% resistant to co-trimoxazole. Overall, 204 (88.3%) of the isolates were multidrug-resistant. The overall multidrug-resistant rates among S. aureus, K. pneumoniae and E. coli isolates were 88.9%, 92.6% and 100%, respectively. Conclusions: Bacterial contamination of health care workers' fomites is a major health care problem in the study area. Multidrug-resistant isolates are alarmingly high in pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, hospital HCWs need to implement proper handling of fomites to reduce contamination and the spread of drug-resistant pathogens

Physicochemical quality assessment of Brazilian frozen beef imported into Algeria

BACKGROUND: In recent decades, imported boneless and frozen beef has invaded the Algerian market. However, the true appreciation of the quality of this product can only be obtained by laboratory analyzes and examinations. AIMS: The aim of the current study was to assess physicochemical parameters of the imported boneless and frozen beef meat dedicated for human consumption. METHODS: Twenty (20) samples of neck, blade bolar, brisket, blade oyster, Forequarter (FQ)/hindquarter (HQ) shin-shank were purchased from the Regional Meat Office in Saida city, Algeria. Physicochemical parameters such as pH, water, ash, protein and fat content were analyzed according to standard procedures. RESULTS: Our results showed a highly significant variability concerning protein and fat content of the five categories of analyzed pieces (p=0.002). Fat content ranged from 0.43g to 4.04g per 100g of edible portion, for which we found low intramuscular fat contents in the lumps. However, the pH values obtained generally characterized RFN (Red, Firm, and Normal) meat. CONSLUSIONS: In view of the results obtained from this study, the overall chemical composition is satisfactory, except for the fat content which constitutes a parameter to be discussed and which depends on the taste of the consumer

The Human Health Implications of Crude Oil Spills in The Niger Delta; Nigeria: An Interpretation of Published Studies Highly Accessed Article

The health hazards created by oil exploration and exploitation are covert and slow in action. They are not given the deserved attention in official documents in Nigeria; even as they can be major contributors to the disease burden in oil-bearing communities. This study is an interpretation of the data reported in several published studies on crude oil spills in the Niger delta region; Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A manual and Internet search was conducted to extract quantitative data on the quantity of crude oil spilled; the concentrations of the pollutants in surface water; ground water; ambient air and plant and animal tissue; and the direct impact on human health and household food security. Results: An average of 240;000 barrels of crude oil are spilled in the Niger delta every year; mainly due to unknown causes (31.85); third party activity (20.74); and mechanical failure (17.04). The spills contaminated the surface water; ground water; ambient air; and crops with hydrocarbons; including known carcinogens like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and benxo (a) pyrene; naturally occurring radioactive materials; and trace metals that were further bioaccumulated in some food crops. The oil spills could lead to a 60reduction in household food security and were capable of reducing the ascorbic acid content of vegetables by as much as 36 and the crude protein content of cassava by 40.These could result in a 24 increase in the prevalence of childhood malnutrition. Animal studies indicate that contact with Nigerian crude oil could be hemotoxic and hepatotoxic; and could cause infertility and cancer. Conclusions: The oil spills in the Niger delta region have acute and long-term effects on human health. Material relief and immediate and long-term medical care are recommended; irrespective of the cause of the spill; to ensure that the potential health effects of exposures to the spills are properly addressed

Community-Based Agricultural Interventions in the Context of Food and Nutrition Security in South Africa

Despite South Africa being a food-secure country in terms of aggregate food availability; it is listed by the World Health Organization as one of 36 high-burden countries; home to large numbers of stunted children. Recent findings; in the context of both over- and under-nutrition; have indicated that adult and child malnutrition rates have deteriorated in South Africa. The complementarities and synergies between food availability; access and utilisation need to be aligned in interventions used to address and strengthen food and nutrition security. This is particularly pertinent in the context of the widespread AIDS epidemic which interacts with food insecurity in complex ways. It is against this backdrop that home-grown or small-scale food production is explored as a feasible contributor to food and nutrition security for the rural poor with particular emphasis on contextual and technical factors. By illustrating a few successful models of home gardening;the evidence for addressing micronutrient deficiencies in these types of interventions is presented. The challenges to establish sustainable home gardening practices and the efforts needed to address gender-distinctive issues are discussed. The case is made for community-based agricultural interventions as a critical component of the various interventions used to address food and nutrition security at the household level

Influence of family size, household food security status, and child care practices on the nutritional status of under-five children in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Fertility pattern and reproductive behaviours affect infant death in Nigeria. Household food insecurity and poor care practices also place children at risk of morbidity and mortality. The objectives of this study were to assess the influence of family size, household food security status, and child care practices on the nutritional status of under-five children in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 423 mothers of under-five children and their children in the households selected through multistage sampling methods. Food-insecure households were five times more likely than secure households to have wasted children (crude OR=5.707, 95 percent CI=1.31-24.85). Children with less educated mothers were significantly more likely to be stunted. The prevalence of food insecurity among households in Ile-Ife was high. Households with food insecurity and less educated mothers were more likely to have malnourished children (Afr J Reprod Health 2010; 14[4]: 123-132)

Consumer Awareness of Safe Food Handling by Food Service Establishments in Calabar; Nigeria

Consumer awareness of safe food handling in food service establishments was investigated. The survey was carried out using 500 questionnaires administered at different food establishments in Calabar; Nigeria. The return rate of questionnaires was 74. The survey result revealed that people who eat out regularly claimed that the standard of food hygiene in food establishments was important to them when deciding where to dine. 67of respondents had concerns/ complaints about the hygiene standards of food establishments they used. 78of consumers believed that they have the right to receive information on hygiene standards of eating places. Most would welcome a reliable system to help them judge hygiene standards. About 65thought there was inadequate consumer information on hygiene standard of eating places. If access to information was made easier; 59of respondents claimed they would eat out more often. Respondents preferred the use of scores to inform them on hygiene standards. Generally; consumers claimed to be unaware of food safety standards in food service establishments. The result therefore showed that the Nigerian consumer basically judged food safety in terms of sensory perception and lacked any form of judgment based on microbiological safety

Small and Micro Enterprises - Aspects of Knowledge; Attitudes and Practices of Managers' and Food Handlers' Knowledge of Food Safety in the Proximity of Tygerberg Academic Hospital; Western Cape

Objective. This study determined hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) awareness among managers of food-producing small and micro enterprises (SMEs) as well as selected aspects of the knowledge;attitude and practices of respective food handlers regarding food safety.Setting. SMEs within a 30 km range of Tygerberg Academic Hospital.Methods. SMEs were divided into two categories: those providing food to clients at risk of illness (N = 64) and to clients free of illness (N = 81). SMEs were randomly selected and managers/employees completed validated questionnaires regarding HACCP (145 managers) and food safety (159 food handlers).Results. Only 6of managers reported awareness of HACCP being mandatory in South Africa. More than 70of managers and food handlers had received no formal training regarding food safety. The perception that food safety control should focus on general cleanliness still prevailed among 57.2of managers. Food handlers achieved an unsatisfactory score (46.0) on the basic principles of food safety. Ignorance among food handlers regarding important risk factors was as follows: ways of identifying contaminated food likely to cause food poisoning (77.5); period of keeping prepared food safe (50.9); correct way of cooling food (63.1) or reheating food (84.9); reason for checking date codes (68.1) and use of a thermometer (90.6). There was no significant difference in the results obtained between food handlers in SMEs providing food to healthy clients or clients at risk of illness. Conclusion. Creating awareness and understanding of HACCP among managers of SMEs and education regarding the control of risk factors remain crucial