Microbiological safety assessment of food handlers in Wudil Local Government Area of Kano State, Nigeria

Gloria C. Ifiora; Chidimma R. Chukwunwejim; Chika P. Ejikeugwu; Roselyn N. Egbuna; Francis C. Ifiora; Isaiah C. Abonyi; Peter M. Eze; Auwalu H. Arzai; Muhammad D. Mukhtar

Gloria C. Ifiora Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Biotechnology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
Chidimma R. Chukwunwejim Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Biotechnology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
Chika P. Ejikeugwu Department of Applied Microbiology, Ebonyi State University, Abakiliki, Nigeria
Roselyn N. Egbuna Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Biotechnology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
Francis C. Ifiora College of Pharmacy, Igbinedion University, Okada, Nigeria
Isaiah C. Abonyi Department of Environmental Health Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
Peter M. Eze Department of Environmental Health Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
Auwalu H. Arzai Department of Microbiology, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria
Muhammad D. Mukhtar Department of Microbiology, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria

Keywords: Foodborne diseases, Food handlers, Salmonella, Wudil, Kano State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the bacteriological safety levels of food handlers in Wudil Local Government Area (LGA) of Kano State, Nigeria. A total of 200 hand-swab samples were collected from different male [100 (50%)] and female [100 (50%)] food handlers/peddlers in the study area. From these samples, 200 non-duplicate bacterial isolates consisting of strains of Salmonella typhi [60 (30%)], Salmonella choleraesuis [52 (26%)], Proteus mirabilis [10 (5%)], Morganella morganii [10 (5%)], Pseudomonas aeruginosa [10 (5%)], Escherichia coli [18 (9%)] and Staphylococcus aureus [40 (20%)] were isolated. A significant proportion (33.3%) of the food handlers sampled was children within the age range of 8-12 years. In addition, only 33.5% of the food handlers had basic level of primary education and a majority (96.5%) of the food handlers displayed poor levels of personal hygiene, especially with regards to safe food handling. S. typhi, S. cholaeresius and S. aureus were found to be the common bacterial species that colonized the hands of food handlers/peddlers in Wudil LGA, Kano State. This highlights a lack of food safety and the resulting risk of spreading foodborne diseases in the area. In addition, low literacy levels and lack of safe food handling practices contribute to the prevalence of these pathogens among the food handlers. It is important for food handlers to obtain training on safe food practices, undergo periodic health checks and practice proper hand hygiene.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3813342

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Microbiological safety assessment of food handlers in Wudil Local Government Area of Kano State, Nigeria

Abstract

References

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