Enteric Bacterial Infections, Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern, Intestinal Parasites, and Associated Factors Among Food Handlers in Yabelo Town, Borena Zone, Southern Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Foodborne illnesses are the main cause of morbidity and mortality in the twenty-first century, and food handlers are the main source of these illnesses.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to assess the prevalence of intestinal parasites, enteric bacteria, antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, and associated factors among food handlers working in a food and drinking establishment in Yabelo town, Borena zone, Southern Ethiopia, in 2022.

METHODS: A facility-based cross-sectional study design was employed to assess the food handler's state of health. Data were gathered using semistructured questionnaires and observational checklists, and 396 regular stool samples were collected. Samples were examined with microscopy and bacteriological culture to isolate enteric bacteria. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 26 The factors that had a P -value of <.05 were considered statistically significant.

RESULT: Of the 396 stool samples collected, 164 (41.4%) were tested positive for intestinal parasites, while 40 (10.1%) were positive for enteric bacteria (Salmonella and Shigella). Among intestinal parasites, the most predominant parasite was Ascaris lumbricoides 48 (12.1%). All isolates of Salmonella and Shigella showed resistance to ampicillin. In multivariable analysis, not trimming fingernails regularly (AOR = 2.02, 95% CI 1.97-5.37), not washing hands with soap after the toilet (AOR = 3.02, 95% CI 2.37-5.62), and eating raw food (AOR = 2.1, 95% CI 1.79-6.51) have a significant association with the prevalence of bacteria and parasites.

CONCLUSION: The majority of food handlers had poor hygiene practices, and the prevalence of parasites and bacteria was high in the study setting. Educational status, eating raw vegetables or fruit, hand washing after the toilet, and fingernail trimming have associations with the health status of food handlers.