Parasitic Infections among Restaurant Workers in Mukalla (Hadhramout/Yemen)

Background: To identify intestinal parasites among restaurant workers in Mukalla, Yemen in 2007. Methods: Stool specimens were collected and examined from a total of 500 restaurant workers at Hadhramout University Health Center. Three types of techniques were used: direct examination, saline sedimentation and formol-ether concentration. Results: The positivity in majority of them was single infection whereas 6 cases were double infection that constituted 1.3% of the prevalence. The prevalence was 14.8% for Entamoeba histolytica/dispor, and 5.2% for Giardia lamblia, while it was 4.4% for Hymenolepis nona. Other intestinal parasites including Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma duodinale were also detected. Additionally, the blood parasite Schistosoma mansoni was also detected in 4 cases. The double infection was only with E. histolytica/dispor and Giardia. The infection with these parasites was also accompanied by abdominal troubles "diarrhea, constipation", nausea and vomiting. Conclusion: These results lead to understand that sanitary measurements are not effective, and this hazardous situation facilitate parasitic agents' distribution among, clients. The effectiveness of current pre-employment screening policy must be annual and systematic surveillance is needed in addition to health education.