Intestinal parasite infection and associated factors among food handlers in Feres Bet town, North West Amhara, Ethiopia, 2021

INTRODUCTION: Intestinal parasite infections are one of the most serious public health issues in the globe. Individuals' health is harmed by a high prevalence of intestinal parasite infections, which primarily affect physical and mental growth, resulting in malnutrition, anemia, stunting, cognitive impairment, reduced educational achievement, and inefficiency. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasite infection and associated factors among food handlers in Feres Bet town, North West Amhara, Ethiopia, 2021. METHODS: From March to April 2021, a facility-based cross-sectionalstudy was undertaken in Feres Bet town among food handlers and drinking establishments. A total of 370 study participants were enrolled in the study utilizing a basic random sampling procedure. Epi data version 3.1 was used to enter the data, and statistical product service solution version 25 was used to clean and analyze it. To show the relationship between dependent and independent variables, a binary logistic regression statistical model was built. Adjested odd ratios with a 95% confidence interval and a p-value of less than 0.05 were declared statistically significant. Tables and graphs were used to convey the report. RESULT: The study included 370 food handlers out of a total of 399. Approximately 166 (44.9%) of food workers tested positive for at least one intestinal parasite. Hand washing practice after toilet [(AOR: 6.25, 95% CI: 2.05–19.02)], hand washing practice after touching dirty materials [(AOR: 3.71, 95% CI: 1.72–8.03)], hand washing practice before meal (AOR = 12.49, 95% CI = 4.92–31.72), periodic medical checkup [(AOR = 3.42, 95% CI = 1.29–9.06)], were variables significantly associated with intestinal parasite. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of intestinal parasite infection among food and drink handlers was found to be 44.9% in this investigation.