Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infection among Food- handlers in Khartoum City

Abstract

This study was conducted on food handlers in Khartoum city. In this study, 200 stool samples were collected from food handlers (144 males and 56 female). The stool samples were processed by formal ether concentration technique, saturated sodium chloride floatation technique and saturated sugar floatation technique. The results revealed that out of the 200 stool samples collected from food handlers in Khartoum city, 20 were found positive for intestinal parasites. This constituted an overall prevalence rate of 10%. The study revealed that the prevalence of intestinal parasites was 10.4% in males while it was 8.9% in female. The highest prevalence rate (11.7%) was reported among the 40-49 years age groups, while the lowest prevalence rate (8%) was reported among the less than 20 years age groups. The prevalence of different parasites was as follows: Entamoeba histolytica (8%), Giardia lamblia (2.5%) and Entamoeba coli (1.5%). The mixed infection of intestinal parasites detected was as follows: Entamoeba histolytica with Entameba coli (1.5%) and Entamoeba histolytica with Giardia lamblia (0.5%).‫‪Considering formal ether concentration technique as the gold standard, the‬‬ ‫‪sensitivity and specificity of the saturated sodium chloride floatation‬‬ ‫‪technique were 85% and 100% respectively and the sensitivity and‬‬ ‫%001 ‪specificity of the saturated sugar floatation technique were 75% and‬‬ ‫.‪respectively‬‬