Objective: Food-borne diseases are a public health issue. They can be prevented by improving sanitation conditions and screening refectory staff periodically for carriage of potentially infectious organisms. This screening may include nose, throat and stool cultures. The objective of this study is to evaluate the analyses of nose, throat and stool cultures of the refectory staff in Istanbul University, Istanbul Medical Faculty. Method: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. This study period was February 2013 through May 2013, and was carried out at the Istanbul Medical Faculty Public Health Workplace Safety Clinic. All refectory and canteen staff were included. The refectory staff was examined at the appointment time and nose, throat, and stool examinations were carried out in order to find out carriers. Qualitative data were evaluated by mean and standard deviation. Quantitative data were evaluated by frequency and percent rate. Findings: The responsibilities of the staff in the refectory were as follows: 35 (32.4%) worked in the production department, 58 (53.7%) in distribution, 10 (9.3%) were support staff and 5 (4.6%) were management. According to the nose culture results, Metisilin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus was detected in 13 people (12%), and Metisilin resistant S. aureus was detected in 4 people (3.7%). Ten of the 17 people were working in distribution. According to the throat culture results, beta-hemolytic streptococcus group A was detected in 1 person (1%). According to the stool culture and direct parasite examination (in stool) results, Salmonella Enteridis was detected in 1 person (1%), Blastocyctis Hominis was detected in 3 people (2.8%) who were working in distribution. Results: Intestinal parasites were detected in 4 members of staff (3.7%). To prevent communicable diseases, rest, treatment and education was given to the affected staff.
