Surveying the Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites\' Infection in Food Handlers in Nowshahr and Chalous

Food handlers could be major sources of intestinal parasites transmission (specially Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica) in case of not observing the hygienic rules. To determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites' infection in food handlers in Nowshahr and Chalous, 1373-74, 411 food handlers in three major groups including: 1) chelokababi(120), 2) sandwich makers(61), and 3) groceries, dairy shops and confectionaries(230). Formalin-ether concentration technique was used to examine all the fecal samples. Finally, the overall prevalence of intestinal parasites' infection was assessed 30.2% where 21.4% were pathogenic. The highest prevalence rate was seen in sandwich makers (36%). Giardia lamblia was the most common protozoal infection (9.2%), where Hymenolepsis nana was seen more than the other helminthes (3.1%). The prevalence of intestinal parasites infection has shown significant differences in food handlers according to age and the level of education. Infectious rate was recorded in candidates over 40 years old less than the others (20%), (p<0.025). Candidates with diploma or higher education have shown infectious rate of 11.4%, where this figure was 43.3% in illiterates (p<0.025).