Study of hand hygiene and enteroparasite infestation among food handlers working in a medical college of North India.
Indian J Pathol Microbiol
; 2006 Apr; 49(2): 296-301
Article
in En
| IMSEAR
| ID: sea-73442
ABSTRACT
The present study was conducted to assess 1) Prevalence of enteroparasite infestation among food handlers working in food service establishments located in the campus of a medical college, 2) Presence of enteric organisms on their hands and nails and their hand washing practices. A total of 151 food handlers were interviewed regarding their socio-demographic and professional characteristics. Their hand washing practices were also observed. Stool examination for enteroparasites and stool culture for Salmonella & Shigella and culture of nail clippings / nail bed swabs for detecting presence of enteric organisms were also carried out. Prevalence of enteroparasite infestation was observed to be 41.1%. None of the stool samples was observed to be positive for Salmonella or Shigella. Enteric organisms were isolated from nail clippings/nail bed swab samples of 76 (73.1%) study subjects. Hand washing practices were observed to be poor with low use of soap. Findings highlight importance of periodic stool examination and deworming of food handlers and need to educate them about importance of maintaining hand hygiene with a focus on improving their hand washing practices.
Full text:
1
Index:
IMSEAR
Main subject:
Schools, Medical
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Hand Disinfection
/
Cross-Sectional Studies
/
Adult
/
Feces
/
Food Handling
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India
Type of study:
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
En
Journal:
Indian J Pathol Microbiol
Year:
2006
Type:
Article