Prevalence and related factors of the gastrointestinal infectious disease carriers among food handlers at the food shops in Chulalongkorn University, 2007
Abstract:
The purpose of this cross-sectional descriptive study was to determine the prevalence and related factors of gastrointestinal infectious disease carriers among food handlers at the food shops in Chulalongkorn University. Data were collected from 248 recruits by using a structured questionnaire during May-July, 2007. They were then analyzed and presented as frequency and percentage for the prevalence, and as odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for the association between each potential risk factor and carrier status. The results indicated that the prevalence rate of the gastrointestinal infectious disease in food handlers was 36.3 percent, as for the prevalence rate of the parasitic infestation was 15.3%. Among these, 6.9% were infected with pathogenic parasites. The prevalence rate of bacterial pathogenic carrier was 31.0%. Each carrier had 1-2 pathogenic organisms. Factors which were statistical significantly related to gastrointestinal infectious disease carriers among food handlers were gender, history of previous physical examination and blood testing. In conclusion, this study showed a high prevalence of gastrointestinal infectious disease carriers among food handlers at the food shops in Chulalongkorn University. So, periodic stool examination and food sanitation education should be provided for this food handler group.