Prevalence of staphylococcus aureus and intestinal parasites among food handlers in Sanliurfa, southeastern Anatolia

Foodborne diseases continue to be one of the  major public health problems in the world. Food handlers play a major role in the transmission of foodborne diseases. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) carriage and intestinal parasitism are important risk factors in contamination. This cross-sectional study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of S.aeurus and Intestinal parasites among 299 food-handlers working in Sanliurfa,  Southeastern Anatolia (the response rate was 88.7%). Nasal and throat swab materials and stool samples were examined. The mean age of them was 26.7 (±9.6). Only 33.6% of the food-handlers had education above elementary school level. Of them 50.8% was no carrier examination before, only 31.4% had regular examination. 52.2% of food handlers were suffering from intestinal parasites detected in the stools included Gardia  lamblia (26.8%), Ascaris lumbricoides (10.7%), Tenya saginata (10%), Trichuris trichiura (1.3%), Enterobius Vermicularis  (0.3%). S.Aureus carriage was 23.1%. None of the food-handlers was positive for Salmonella species and Shigella species. The findings emphasize the importance of food-handlers as potential sources of infections and suggest health institutions for appropriate hygienic and sanitary control measures. Based on these findings, evidence-based carriage control system including training of municipal police force (controller) and health professionals, records and follow-up procedures by computer, surveillance system by primary health care center staff was improved in Sanliurfa city center. Key words: Food handlers, S.aureus carriage, intestinal parasites, Sanliurfa