4. CONCLUSIONS:
Our results revealed high prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection
in food handlers in Iran. This high prevalence is largely due to poor
personal hygiene practice, poverty, lack of knowledge, insufficient
environmental sanitation and inadequate health controlling
services.Although the food industryworkers, food handlers and anyone who
is connected with the production, handling, storage, transportation,
preparation, or else, is obliged to undergo routine medical examinations
including stool microscopy for intestinal parasitic infections (once
every 6 months) and chest x ray for tuberculosis suspected cases
(occasionally). However, it seems that they are not sufficient. It is
advised that some strict rules such as obligation in filling the stool
container in the lab are added. Also, if infected food handler cases are
identified, immediate decisions for exclusion of the career up the
resolving all symptoms or completion of further investigations should be
made. Additional programs including education for changing attitude
about infectious diseases requires consideration.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST: The
authors declare that they do not have any conflict of interest.
ETHICS APPROVAL : No ethical approval was required as this is a
review article with no original research data.