| Popis: |
BackgroundFood borne illnesses, even today, continue to be a majorpublic health problem in both developing and developednations. Food handlers play an important role in ensuringfood safety throughout the chain of production, processing,storage and preparation.Health of food handlers is of greatimportance for maintaining hygienic quality of foodprepared and served by them. Thus, the present study wasconducted to study socio-demographic characteristics,morbidity pattern and immunization status of catering staffat a tertiary care hospital in MumbaiMethodA cross sectional study was conducted from August 2010 toNovember 2010. Out of the total of 162 food handlersworking in 11 food service establishments, 137 wereinterviewed face to face using a semi-structuredquestionnaire, while remaining 25 food handlers wereexcluded because of either their absence or not givingconsent. The food handlers were assessed clinically forpersonal hygiene and investigated for hemoglobin, stoolroutine and sputum AFB examination.Results82 (59.8%) food handlers were from the age group 10 – 29years, 113 (82.5%) male, 95 (69%) married, 59 (43.1%)educated up to primary level. Only 7 (5.1%) had everreceived a dose of typhoid vaccine. 103 (75.2%) had anaddiction, majority consuming gutkha 59 (57.3%). Dentalcaries 32 (23.4%) was the most common morbidityidentified. Entamoeba histolytica was isolated in 13 (9.5%)subjects.ConclusionThis study has confirmed an association betweeneducational status and personal hygiene suggesting theneed for greater personal hygiene in this group. Preemploymentand periodical medical examination should beencouraged. |
