TY - JOUR
T1 - Global prevalence of intestinal protozoan parasites among food handlers
T2 - A systematic review and meta-analysis
AU - Eslahi, Aida Vafae
AU - Olfatifar, Meysam
AU - Zaki, Leila
AU - Karimipour Saryazdi, Amir
AU - Barikbin, Fatemeh
AU - Maleki, Aisa
AU - Abdoli, Amir
AU - Badri, Milad
AU - Karanis, Panagiotis
N1 - Funding Information:
This work was supported by Metabolic Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Qazvin, Iran under the contract no. IR.QUMS.REC.1400.344 .
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 Elsevier Ltd
PY - 2023/3
Y1 - 2023/3
N2 - Food handlers with improper personal hygiene practices have a significant role in transmitting foodborne parasites, including intestinal protozoa. The current systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the global prevalence of intestinal protozoan parasites among food handlers. Multiple databases (PubMed, Scopus, Pro-Quest, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Google Scholar) were explored for relevant literature published from 1988 to April 2022. Pooled prevalence was estimated using the meta-package in R (version 3.6.1). One hundred thirty-eight papers, including 259,364 individuals, were considered in this study. The global pooled prevalence (95% confidence interval) was 0.143% (0.118–0.170%). The highest pooled prevalence was observed in the Western Pacific WHO Region (0.318%, 0–1.000%). The most prevalent protozoa was Blastocystis hominis (0.077%, 0.046–0.115%). Moreover, among different countries, Gambia had the highest pooled prevalence (0.501%, 0.459–0.544%). The prevalence of intestinal protozoan parasites estimated in the present study revealed that food handlers highly impact the global population. Periodic stool screening is necessary for food handlers to prevent intestinal protozoan infection. Additionally, a health education programme to raise awareness regarding food hygiene is recommended.
AB - Food handlers with improper personal hygiene practices have a significant role in transmitting foodborne parasites, including intestinal protozoa. The current systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the global prevalence of intestinal protozoan parasites among food handlers. Multiple databases (PubMed, Scopus, Pro-Quest, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Google Scholar) were explored for relevant literature published from 1988 to April 2022. Pooled prevalence was estimated using the meta-package in R (version 3.6.1). One hundred thirty-eight papers, including 259,364 individuals, were considered in this study. The global pooled prevalence (95% confidence interval) was 0.143% (0.118–0.170%). The highest pooled prevalence was observed in the Western Pacific WHO Region (0.318%, 0–1.000%). The most prevalent protozoa was Blastocystis hominis (0.077%, 0.046–0.115%). Moreover, among different countries, Gambia had the highest pooled prevalence (0.501%, 0.459–0.544%). The prevalence of intestinal protozoan parasites estimated in the present study revealed that food handlers highly impact the global population. Periodic stool screening is necessary for food handlers to prevent intestinal protozoan infection. Additionally, a health education programme to raise awareness regarding food hygiene is recommended.
KW - Epidemiology
KW - Food safety
KW - Foodborne diseases
KW - Protozoan
KW - Review
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85141249267
U2 - 10.1016/j.foodcont.2022.109466
DO - 10.1016/j.foodcont.2022.109466
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:85141249267
SN - 0956-7135
VL - 145
JO - Food Control
JF - Food Control
M1 - 109466
ER -