PREVALENCE OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI AMONG FOOD HANDLERS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL: IMPLICATION OF BETTER INFECTION CONTROL MANAGEMENT.

Introduction: Food handlers’ health, hygiene, and adherence to proper food handling procedures in hospitals; all play a significant role in the likelihood of spreading illnesses. Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection is a substantial source of illness and mortality in humans, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies it as a class 1 carcinogen. Aim of Work: To assess the prevalence of H pylori among hospital food handlers and the associated risk factors and its consecutive implication on the infection control principles for food hygiene. Materials and Methods: In tertiary hospital kitchens, a cross-sectional study involving 85 food handlers was conducted. All study participants received an Arabic-structured self-administered questionnaire containing questions about socio-demographic information, drinking water source, the crowding index, and hygienic behaviors while handling food. Stool samples were analyzed for H pylori antigen. Results: Forty of the food handlers (47.1 %) were positive for H pylori. Marital status, level of education, smoking and crowding index showed a higher statistical significant difference among positive H pylori food handlers.