Environmental Health Insights最新文献

{"title":"Correlates of Food Contamination by Heavy Metals in Northwest Nigeria.","authors":"Usman Muhammad Ibrahim, Mustapha Zakariyya Karkarna, Salisu Muazu Babura, Mujahid Ajah Matazu, Abubakar Mohammed Jibo, Muhammad Lawan Umar, Muktar Hassan Aliyu","doi":"10.1177/11786302241301700","DOIUrl":"10.1177/11786302241301700","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The increasing cases of chronic kidney disease is a global public health concern. The potential link between consumption of food contaminated with heavy metals and development of end stage renal disease is becoming an emerging challenge. This study aimed to identify heavy metal contaminants in food and environmental risk factors for development of chronic kidney disease in Nigeria.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Cross-sectional survey in 4 high burden local government areas of Jigawa state, northwest Nigeria.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The median age of the respondents was 45 years (interquartile range = 30-80) years. All the households had normal values of cadmium in the food analyzed. The majority of households (97.8%) had elevated mercury levels in analyzed food. Approximately 4.2% of households had increased lead levels. Elevated mercury levels were significantly higher in households that did not cultivate the food they consumed (median = 2.503 mg/kg, <i>P</i> = .05), those that did not use fertilizer on their farms (median = 2.522 mg/kg, <i>P</i> = .02), and those whose farms were located outside their communities (median = 2.733 mg/kg, <i>P</i> = .020). Households that did not use fertilizer on the farm (median = 0.027 mg/kg, <i>P</i> = .007), and those that primarily consumed rice (median = 0.023 mg/kg, <i>P</i> = .005) had significantly higher lead concentrations.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>We identified high levels of mercury in food samples of the majority of the households studied. Elevated levels of mercury were associated with food cultivation practices and fertilizer use. We recommend future studies that will identify points of food contamination and inform the development of appropriate environmental remediation measures.</p>","PeriodicalId":11827,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health Insights","volume":"18 ","pages":"11786302241301700"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-11-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11580069/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142686345","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Zoonotic and Food-Related Hazards Due to Hepatitis A and E in Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.","authors":"Alex Odoom, Isaac Boamah, Kwamena Wc Sagoe, Fleischer Cn Kotey, Eric S Donkor","doi":"10.1177/11786302241299370","DOIUrl":"10.1177/11786302241299370","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Foodborne infections are caused by a wide spectrum of microbial pathogens, and they pose a significant global health threat, resulting in millions of cases and thousands of fatalities annually. Among these pathogens, human viruses, including Hepatitis A virus (HAV) and Hepatitis E virus (HEV), play a significant role in foodborne viral outbreaks, especially in Africa. This systematic review determined the prevalence of these viruses in livestock and produce in Africa.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A systematic search strategy was implemented following the PRISMA guidelines. Databases such as African Journal Online, Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed were searched from their inception until November 30, 2023. Descriptive statistics and a proportional meta-analysis utilising a random-effects model with a 95% confidence interval were employed in the data analysis. The Cochrane risk-of-bias tool (ROB2) was utilised to evaluate the potential for bias in each study.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The search identified 27 articles that met the inclusion criteria, among which seven focused on HAV, comprising a total of 309 samples, whereas 20 studies focused on HEV, comprising a total of 4238 samples. Egypt had the highest number of studies, followed by Cameroon and Nigeria. The meta-analysis revealed an overall prevalence of 33.8% (95% CI: 17.0-50.6) for HAV in ducks and shellfish and 22.0% (95% CI: 12.1-31.8) for HEV in various livestock. Genotype 3 was identified as the predominant genotype, for both HAV and HEV.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This review revealed a high prevalence of HAV and HEV in livestock populations in Africa, shedding light on the potential risks associated with zoonotic and/or food-related infections. There is a need for continued surveillance and monitoring of these viruses in both animals and food products to mitigate the risk of foodborne outbreaks and protect human health.</p>","PeriodicalId":11827,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health Insights","volume":"18 ","pages":"11786302241299370"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-11-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11580081/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142686284","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Double Burden: Climate Change Challenges for Health Systems.","authors":"Flavio Pinheiro Martins, Marco Antonio Catussi Paschoalotto, Jose Closs, Meike Bukowski, Mariana M Veras","doi":"10.1177/11786302241298789","DOIUrl":"10.1177/11786302241298789","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Climate change presents significant challenges to human health and health systems, and there is a critical need for health systems to adapt and become more resilient in order to effectively mediate the impacts of climate change on population health. This paper analyzes existing academic literature to identify key themes, trends, and research gaps at the intersection of climate change and health systems. Utilizing a scoping review of 179 studies, we explore how health systems can enhance their resilience through effective governance, sustainable financing, resource generation, and adaptive service delivery. Our findings emphasize the importance of integrating climate considerations into health system governance, mobilizing innovative financial resources, and adapting infrastructure and workforce capacities to address climate-related health challenges. The study highlights the need for continued interdisciplinary research and targeted interventions to ensure health systems are equipped to promote equity and protect vulnerable populations in the face of climate change. These insights contribute to the development of climate-resilient health systems and identify crucial areas for future research.</p>","PeriodicalId":11827,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health Insights","volume":"18 ","pages":"11786302241298789"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-11-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11580064/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142686355","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Challenges, Health Risks and Recommendations on Meat Handling Practices in Africa: A Comprehensive Review.","authors":"Ridwan Olamilekan Adesola, Delower Hossain, Oluwaseun Adeolu Ogundijo, Ibrahim Idris, Abdulafees Hamzat, Bashar Haruna Gulumbe, Adetolase Azizat Bakre, Olamilekan Gabriel Banwo, Don Eliseo Lucero-Prisno","doi":"10.1177/11786302241301991","DOIUrl":"10.1177/11786302241301991","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Meat handling is a crucial aspect of public health as it forms complex interactions among humans, animals, and the environment. African meat handlers continue to face various challenges in slaughterhouses that significantly impact their lives and the general public during meat processing. This paper reviews the challenges meat handlers encounter and the associated risks of improper meat handling in various African slaughterhouses. A comprehensive literature search was performed on Science Direct, Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar. Articles published to investigate the challenges and health risks of meat handling practices in Africa from 1961 to 2022 were included in this review. African meat handlers face socio-economic difficulties, including inadequate returns, unpredictable working environment, market, security, and limited healthcare access. Many meat handlers work informally in unregistered facilities and are not trained by experts on proper meat handling. This results in improper meat handling, raising the possibility of meat contamination by foodborne pathogens like <i>Salmonella</i> sp. and <i>E. coli</i> on slaughter and contact surfaces, hence posing a threat to meat safety and public health. We recommended that governmental, institutional and community-level actions should be used to address the health challenges associated with improper meat handling in Africa. Government and institutional bodies play an important role in supporting and upholding the laws that guide proper meat handling and processing. Meat handlers must be educated on meat safety, handling and storage to ensure meat is safe for consumption.</p>","PeriodicalId":11827,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health Insights","volume":"18 ","pages":"11786302241301991"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-11-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11580086/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142686322","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Determinants of Handwashing at Critical Times Among Mothers/Caregivers of Children Under-Five Years Old: Panel Data Evidence From Rural Afghanistan.","authors":"Conrad Murendo, Richard Mottershead, Edwin Kimani, Kumar Chandan","doi":"10.1177/11786302241274485","DOIUrl":"10.1177/11786302241274485","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Very few studies have used panel data regression models to estimate the determinants of handwashing with water and soap at critical times in a developing country.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To analyse the predictors of handwashing with water and soap at critical times among mother/caregivers of children under-5 years in rural Afghanistan.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>This study used data from 1208 mothers/caregivers of children under-5 years who were selected and interviewed at baseline and endline in 7 provinces using systematic probability proportional-to-size sampling method.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Mother/caregivers with access to handwashing facility with water and soap had 1.20 higher odds of washing hands at 5 critical times. Treatment at public facility, an indirect proxy of health education and having children under 2 years was associated with 1.07 and 1.05 higher odds of washing hands at 5 critical times. Access to handwashing with water and soap, treatment at public facility and children under 2 years were significant and robust to alternative specification of handwashing at least 3 times. Mothers/caregivers who reported contracting infectious diseases in the past 6 months had 1.04- and 1.52-times higher odds of handwashing at 5 critical times and at least 3 times respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Access to handwashing facility with water and soap, health education, children under 2 years and occurrence of infectious diseases were the predictors of appropriate handwashing behaviour. Therefore, there is need to improve the availability of handwashing facilities with clean water and soap to promote appropriate handwashing behaviour at critical times. In addition, there is need to promote activities that increase disposable income for households to purchase soap and handwashing facilities. There is need to promote healthcare seeking behaviour for mothers to access medical treatment and health hygiene education at public facilities vital for prevention of infectious diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":11827,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health Insights","volume":"18 ","pages":"11786302241274485"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-11-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11558732/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142616596","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Particulates Matter: The Influence of Cumulative Local Air Pollution Exposure on Sixth-Grade Academic Achievement in California.","authors":"Robert W Wassmer, Michael D Turgeon","doi":"10.1177/11786302241293292","DOIUrl":"10.1177/11786302241293292","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>We examine the influence of exposure to fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) in ambient air over the previous 6 years on the average standardized test score performance in math, English language arts (ELA), and overall for sixth graders at a sample of California public school districts from 2015 through 2018. Public health research suggests that children exposed to localized air pollution may suffer from cognitive impairment during testing or chronic conditions such as asthma that could influence their academic performance. After controlling for the appropriate confounding variables, our findings indicate that a 1-unit increase (or an equivalent one-third increase in the standard deviation) in the average amount of particulate matter observed over the past 6 years in a school district reduces the average standardized test score by about 4%. In addition, a typical student in a California school district in the two highest quintiles of PM 2.5 exposure (controlling for other causal factors) exhibits standardized test scores closer to the fifth-grade equivalency level than the sixth. These results support the benefits of indoor air pollution mitigation as a likely cost-effective intervention to improve student academic success in primary school.</p>","PeriodicalId":11827,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health Insights","volume":"18 ","pages":"11786302241293292"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-11-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11531670/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142567591","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence and Risk Factors of β-Lactamase Genes of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamases-Producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> From Dairy Farm Environments of Haryana, India.","authors":"Sarin Kamboj, Jinu Manoj, Jasleen Kaur, Mahavir Singh, Rajesh Chhabra","doi":"10.1177/11786302241296694","DOIUrl":"10.1177/11786302241296694","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Presence of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL)-producing <i>Enterobacteriaceae</i> in the dairy farm environment and food chain could be a possible interface for the exchange of antimicrobial resistance genes between humans and animals. A total of 600 samples comprised of raw bovine milk, faeces, feed, environmental swabs and water samples from 20 different bovine dairy farms in and around Hisar city, Haryana, India were analysed for presence of ESBL encoding genes. Out of 240 isolates of <i>Escherichia coli</i> obtained, 74 isolates were found to be ESBL producers. Maximum number of ESBL isolates were found from faeces (40.5%) followed by raw milk (37.8%) and environmental swabs (17.5%). Most of the ESBL <i>E. coli</i> isolates were sensitive to chloramphenicol (82.4%) and gentamicin (77.0%) antibiotics. The <i>bla</i> _CTX-M gene was found to be most prevalent (52.0%) followed by <i>bla</i> _TEM (9.45%) while <i>bla</i> _SHV gene alone was not detected in any sample by simplex PCR. However, the co-expression of bla_CTX-M + bla_TEM (21.6%) and bla_CTX-M + bla_SHV (4.05%) genes were also observed. The housing system, milking method and the hygienic mangement practices followed at farm level are found to be significant risk factors of ESBL-producing <i>E. coli</i> in dairy farms of Haryana.</p>","PeriodicalId":11827,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health Insights","volume":"18 ","pages":"11786302241296694"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-10-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11526188/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142560327","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Environmental Exposure Inequities Among Sexual and Gender Minority Populations in the United States: A Scoping Review.","authors":"Nicholas A Carlisle, Sarah MacCarthy, Karlie Burrell, Jeffrey Wickliffe","doi":"10.1177/11786302241296225","DOIUrl":"10.1177/11786302241296225","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Despite growing attention and guiding frameworks, we still know very little about how environmental exposures may be contributing to the health inequities experienced by sexual and gender minority (SGM) people, especially exposures beyond psycho-behavioral mechanisms that have traditionally been viewed as the pathways between minority stress and negative health outcomes. To address this gap in knowledge, we conducted a scoping review to determine the extent to which disparities in environmental exposures between SGM and non-SGM (ie, heterosexual and cisgender) populations have been measured in the United States. We searched PubMed for studies that were (1) peer-reviewed; (2) written in English; (3) quantitatively measured environmental exposures; (4) included 1 or more groups identifying as a sexual minority, gender minority, or both; (5) compared to the general population; (6) in the United States; and (7) published on or after January 1, 2011. Our scoping review identified very few studies that examined and documented environmental exposure disparities between SGM and non-SGM populations in the United States. These studies focused mostly on cigarette smoke exposures. None examined environmental exposure disparities between gender minority and cisgender populations. To address this critical gap in environmental health research for SGM populations in the short term, researchers can merge existing environmental data (eg, data from the Environmental Protection Agency) with SGM population data. Longer-term solutions require systematically including validated sexual orientation and gender identity measures across federal, state, and local datasets, as well as increased funding for original research that explores diverse environmental exposures. Taken together, these efforts can significantly advance our ability to identify and address environmental health inequities experienced by SGM people.</p>","PeriodicalId":11827,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health Insights","volume":"18 ","pages":"11786302241296225"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-10-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11528665/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142567413","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Microbial Contamination of Herbal Medicines in Africa, 2000-2024: A Systematic Review.","authors":"Wisdom K Ahiabor, Samuel Darkwah, Eric S Donkor","doi":"10.1177/11786302241293345","DOIUrl":"10.1177/11786302241293345","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Herbal medicine has been a cornerstone of healthcare for centuries, with an estimated 80% of the world's population relying on it. In Africa, herbal medicine is the backbone of rural healthcare, serving 80% to 90% of the population. Despite its widespread use, the safety of herbal medicine raises a significant concern considering the lack of regulation and testing, particularly in Africa. Microbial contamination is a primary safety risk threatening consumer health. In this systematic review, we aimed to synthesise evidence on microbial contamination in herbal medicines across Africa, provide a clear understanding of the problem, and inform effective public health interventions regarding microbial contamination of herbal medicines in Africa.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>The systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. A literature search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, Scopus, and Google Scholar using appropriate search terms. Eligible studies were selected based on predetermined criteria, and data were extracted and analysed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The review included fifty eligible studies in Africa, with a combined sample size of 1996, of which 1791 showed microbial contamination. Bacterial contaminants were reported in 98% of studies, with <i>Escherichia coli</i> (62%) being the most reported bacteria, followed by <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (57%), and <i>Bacillus</i> spp. (55%). Fungal contaminants were reported in 70% of studies, with <i>Aspergillus</i> spp. (40%) being the most reported, followed by <i>Penicillium</i> spp. (27%) and <i>Candida</i> spp. (26%). Parasitic contaminants were reported in 2% of the studies reviewed. A total of 70 bacterial species, 37 fungal species, and 6 parasite species were identified in this review.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Herbal medicines in Africa pose significant health threats to consumers due to the high prevalence of diverse microbial contaminants and clinically significant pathogens. This emphasises the need for stricter regulations and quality control measures in the production, sale and use of herbal medicines.</p>","PeriodicalId":11827,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health Insights","volume":"18 ","pages":"11786302241293345"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-10-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11528601/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142567518","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Microbial Contamination and Meat Handling Practices in Hawassa City Butcher Shops, Ethiopia.","authors":"Zebitu Kenaw, Amanuel Ejeso, Dawit Deresse, Beekam Kebede Olkeba","doi":"10.1177/11786302241293289","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/11786302241293289","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Unsafe meat handling in butcher shops exacerbates microbial contamination, contributing to widespread food-related infections, particularly in developing countries like Ethiopia. In Ethiopia, microbial contamination in the meat supply chain is pervasive due to limited knowledge, inadequate hygiene practices, insufficient training, poor enforcement of food safety standards, and the absence of advanced diagnostic tools and regular microbial testing. This study aimed to assess the microbial load of meat, its contact surfaces, and meat handling practices of butcher shop workers in Hawassa city, Ethiopia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April 2023 among butcher shop workers in Hawassa city, Ethiopia. One hundred forty-four (144) swab samples were collected, and the microbial load was evaluated by serial dilution method and counted using standard procedures. A total of 52 workers were interviewed to assess meat handling practices. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze survey and laboratory data.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The findings of this study revealed that the levels of Total Plate Count, <i>Enterobacteriaceae</i>, and staphylococci from meat samples collected from the butchers were 6.14, 5.58, and 5.23, respectively. The levels of Total Plate Count, <i>Enterobacteriaceae</i>, and staphylococci in the swab samples collected from knives, chopping boards, and weighing boards were 5.66, 5.27, and 5.28; 5.61, 5.33, and 5.03; and 5.29, 4.97, and 4.91, respectively. In the butcher shops, 83% of the meat was exposed to flies without protection, and 64% of meat handling equipment was not disinfected.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The Total Plate Count, <i>Enterobacteriaceae</i> and staphylococci levels in meat samples and swab samples collected from knives, chopping boards, and weighing boards were above acceptable levels. These findings suggest the presence of potential pathogenic microorganisms, likely due to poor personal hygiene of the workers, inadequate cleaning and sterilization in the butcher shops, and cross-contamination from sources, including paper money handled, and skin contact.</p>","PeriodicalId":11827,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health Insights","volume":"18 ","pages":"11786302241293289"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-10-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11520008/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142544462","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}