Biomedical Research

Objective: Foodborne parasitic disease is an emerging public health problem in China, this study aimed at evaluating the factors associated with prevalence of foodborne intestinal parasites among residents in Tianhe district of Guangzhou city, and provides a scientific basis for adjusting the prevention and control strategies. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from June to October of 2016 using a stratified cluster sampling method, 42 neighborhood committees were sampled from 21 streets as the investigation sites. Results:A total of 956 residents were investigated,and the overall prevalence of infection rate was 4.7% (45/956). Clonorchis sinensis and Trichuris trichiura were the predominant parasites identified from the stool of study participants. The infection rate in males (5.04%) was higher than that of females (4.25%), and most of cases occurred in 20-35 y-old age group. occupation, low educational level, eating raw fish, separating the cutting boards for raw and cooked food were independent predictors of food-borne intestinal parasitic infection, while separating cutting boards for raw and cooked food, washing hands before eating and after using the toilet and the awareness of hazards were the protective factors. Conclusion:This present study showed high prevalence of food-borne intestinal parasites among the study subjects. Our results revealed poor personal hygiene like poor practice of hand washing before eating and after using the toilet, eating raw fish, the education level were more important cause of foodborne parasitic disease. Much has to be done to improve the personal hygiene and advocate the healthy eating behaviors.

Author(s): Feifei Jia, Hui Song, Zhuangwei Li, Yintong Guo
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