Resumen

BASTIDAS, Gilberto et al. Prevalence of intestinal parasites in food handlers in a rural community in Cojedes, Venezuela. Acta méd. costarric [online]. 2012, vol.54, n.4, pp.241-245. ISSN 0001-6002.

Aim: Intestinal parasites are a public health problem due to their high prevalence. Handlers of food contaminated with parasites become potential sources of infection because some parasitic forms are transmitted directly from the source of infection to the host through the fecal-oral route. In addition, there is an increased consumption of food outside the household by residents of urban and rural areas. The objective is to collect information so that health authorities implement health programs appropriate to each region. Methods: Descriptive and cross-sectional field-study. Sixty-four food handlers participated but the sample was composed of 50. A questionnaire on hygienic practices in food handling was administered. The socioeconomic status was determined, as well as prevalence of parasites by performing stool tests. Results: The sample was composed of44 women and 6 men, 52% belonged to the IV stratus; most knew about hygienic practices in food handling but 26% had some form of intestinal parasites; the most frequent were: E. nanny (41.2 %) and B. hominis (38.7 %); monoparasitism was 54%. Conclusion: Several factors are involved in the occurrence and frequency of intestinal parasitic disease. Therefore, educating food handlers about good hygiene practices according to the environment is essential to prevent transmission.

Palabras clave : Intestinal parasite; food handler; habits; feces; prevalence.

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