Hand Contamination among Food Handlers
H. K. Allam, M. A. Al-Batanony, A. S. Seif, E. T. Awad
Microbiology Research Journal International · pp. 1–8 · Published 14 Mar 2016
10.9734/BMRJ/2016/24845Abstract
Introduction: Food handlers act as a vehicle for microorganisms causing a potential risk to the public health. Hands contamination of food handlers can be used as an indicator of their behavior regarding food-related practice and personal hygiene. Aim of the Study: To assess hand contamination among food handlers working in Menoufia University and Shebin Al-Kom Educational hospital kitchens and the effect of a health education session over them. Subjects and Methods: A seventy two food handlers were the target group of this study. A pre-structured questionnaire was filled including socio-demographic data beside questions regarding risk factors for contamination and personal hygiene practices during dealing with food. Hand rinse sample was taken from each participant to detect the contaminants. A brief and simple health education session was held regarding personal hygiene practices. Three months later, the same kitchen was revisited to appraise the participants’ hygiene compliance where another hand sample rinses were taken. Results: Both Staphylococcus Epidermidis and Escherichia coli (41.7%) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (29.2%) were the prevalent organisms. A significant reduction in hand contamination was achieved after the interventional health education session. Being illiterate, ignoring hand wash after toilet or touching dirty materials and having long fingernails were the significant risk factors for hand contamination. Recommendations: periodic interventions on food safety, proper hand washing procedures and good hygiene practices beside regular medical checkup are necessary to improve food handlers’ hygiene practices.
Cited by 30
B. Omar, S. Mohamed Shadia, S. Anas · African Journal of Microbiology Research · 2020
Kingsley E. Amegah, H. O. Addo, M. Ashinyo · Environmental Health Insights · 2020
S. Aung, Aung Aung Nwe, W. Shan · Archives of Current Research International · 2019
Daru Lestantyo, Adi Heru Husodo, Susi Iravati · 2017
Aliaa S. Osman, Khalid Shawky Tolba, A. Atef · Advances in Animal and Veterinary Sciences · 2021
Shimaa, S. Awaad, Abdelsalam · 2020
N. D. A. Lubis, Sri Amelia, N. K. Arrasyid · 2018
Ms. Shreya Valvekar
Talha Pekel, Hasibe Kadıoğlu · Bandırma Onyedi Eylül Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri ve Araştırmaları Dergisi · 2025
Sibiya PK, Sithole PK, Nkwane ST · Universal Journal of Public Health · 2023
Related research
- Assessment of Exclusive Breastfeeding Practice among Palestinian Mothers in the Gaza Strip: A Mixed Methods Design — shares topic coverage
- Impact of the Diet Profile and Alcohol Consumption on Cardiometabolic Risks in Dschang Health District-Cameroon — shares topic coverage
- The Prevalence, Risk Factors and Awareness of Hypertension in an Urban Population of Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India — shares topic coverage
- ABO Blood Groups and Malaria Prevalence in a Referral Hospital in Nigeria — shares topic coverage
- Prevalence of Malaria among Pregnant Women and Children Under Five Years in Abi Local Government Area, Cross River State, Nigeria — shares topic coverage
Article metrics
Real usage data collected on this platform.
0
Page views
0
PDF downloads
0
Outbound clicks
30
Citations
Views by country
Approximate, from request IP at view time — not citizenship or institution. Countries with fewer than 5 views are grouped as "Other".
No views recorded yet.
Traffic sources
Referring site, by host.
No traffic recorded yet.
Views and downloads exclude known bots/crawlers. Citations combines this platform's own DOI-resolved index with each external source's own reported total — see Cited by above for individually listed citing works. Last refreshed 0 seconds ago.