Intestinal Parasites among Asymptomatic Food Handlers in a Tertiary Institution in Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT Incidence of intestinal parasites has been described as one of the most common problems of developing countries like Nigeria. This study was carried out to determine the possible presence of parasites amongst asymptomatic food handlers in tertiary institution in Owo. One hundred and twenty three (123) stool samples were randomly collected from food vendors in Achievers University, Owo. Also, questionnaires were administered and collated. The samples were transported to the University Parasitology Laboratory within 1 hour of production and examined microscopically using physiological saline and iodine direct mount and formal ether concentration techniques. Out of the 123 stool samples analyzed, 20 were infected with gastrointestinal parasitic organisms, giving a prevalence of 16.26%. Three different parasites were identified: Ascaris lumbricoides (12.20%), Giardia lambia (5.67%), and Entamoeba histolytica (3.25%). The prevalence with respect to gender showed that parasitic infestation was higher in females (9.76%) than in males (6.50%). The parasitic infestation was higher in age groups 36–45 years (7.32%), followed by age groups 18–25 years (5.69) and least in age group 26–35 years (3.25%). The parasitic infestation was higher among subjects who sell cooked food and snacks (6.50%), followed by those who sell cooked food only (4.88%), and lastly 2.44% among those that sell snacks and roasted meat respectively. In conclusion, this study confirmed the presence of intestinal parasitic infection among food handlers in Achievers University Owo, Ondo State. Good hygiene and safe food-handling should be exercised by food handlers.