Ocorrência de enteroparasitos em manipuladores de alimentos das cantinas da Universidade Federal da Paraíba/Campus I.

Abstract

The enteroparasitosis and their damages to one health represent a public health severe problem. One of the main forms of transmission occurs through water and contaminated foods by protozoa as well as helminthes, thus food h andlers play an important role in the contamination process. This work has as a goal to investigate the occurence of enteroparasites in handlers, working in shops situated at Federal University of Paraíba as well as trace an enteroparasitological profile o f them. The study counted on a sample of 58 food handlers, being developed in 3 steps. During the first step, it was applied an epidemiological form. In the second, the fecal material was analyzed by Hoffmann, Pon and Janner’s techniques and Blagg method. The third step consisted in delivering and forwarding the reports to a basic health unit. Through coproparasitological exams, it was found that 70.69% of the investigated ones revealed positivity to at least one parasite species as well as intestinal comme nsals. This fact itself reflects in the sanitation, presence or not of sewage, consumed water quality and the hygiene habits in which these employees are exposed. The major occurrence of individuals with enteroparasites was observed in females, representin g 80% (32) of a 40 women total. The parasitological profile found was: Endolimax nana (62,7%), Entamoeba coli (15,52%), Ascaris lumbricoides (5,17%), Entamoeba histolytica/E.dispar (1,72%) and Giardia lamblia (1,72%). Therefore, the creation of educational programs which aim the guidance of appropriate practice concerning personal hygiene and food handling, is essential since these measures can decrease the risks of contamination as well as the spread of enteroparasites.