The Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections in Food Handlers Health Applicants in Areas Covered by Shomal Health Center in Tehran in 2016

Intestinal parasitic infections are one of the most important health problems of many societies. Food handlers who are not comply with health principles may transmit parasitic infections. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in food handlers health applicants in areas covered by Shomal Health Center in Tehran in 2016.
This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with 4072 of related food workers who referred to six health centers in Shomal Tehran for obtaining a health card. All specimens were examined by direct method (wet method with Logel) for presence of parasite. The collected data were entered into SPSS-22 statistical software and analyzed using descriptive statistics.
In this study, 950 (23.3%) of participants were female and 3122 (76.7%) were male. Intestinal parasitic infections were seen in 271 (7.7%). From these cases, 148 (54.6%) were Giardia and 72 (26.6%) Anthamobacilli, 21 (7.7%), Anthamobihistolitis, 19 (0.7%) Ascaris and 11 (7.3%) Tennia. There was no relationship between the age and level of education of the participants and the intestinal parasitic infection.
The study showed that few food suppliers were contaminated with intestinal parasites and the most common cause of infection was Giardia. Health control needs to be increased and in this regard, the continuation and development of education in order to improve the health of these people plays a decisive role.