TY - JOUR
T1 - Microbiological quality of urban-vended salad and its association with gastrointestinal diseases in Kumasi, Ghana
AU - Fung, Jessica
AU - Keraita, Bernard
AU - Konradsen, Flemming
AU - Moe, Christine
AU - Akple, Maxwell
PY - 2011
Y1 - 2011
N2 - The influence of consumption of salads on exposure to gastrointestinal diseases was assessed in urban environments in Kumasi, Ghana. Data was collected using a cross-sectional survey involving 15 salad sellers and 213 consumers and microbiological laboratory analysis of 96 samples of ready-to-eat salad. Findings showed higher contamination in street-vended salads than those in cafeterias with thermotelerant coliforms levels of 4.00-5.43 log units per 100 g salad, 32% of samples had Salmonella sp., and 17% had helminth eggs. Overall, there was an insignificant inverse relationship between salad consumption and gastrointestinal diseases among street salad consumers (RR = 0.81) and a strong positive relationship with cafeteria consumers (RR = 5.51). However, stratified analysis on relative risk showed a likelihood of strong influence from other risk factors embedded in socio-economic status such as poor sanitation. We recommend more integrated studies on risk factors for gastrointestinal diseases in poor urban areas.
AB - The influence of consumption of salads on exposure to gastrointestinal diseases was assessed in urban environments in Kumasi, Ghana. Data was collected using a cross-sectional survey involving 15 salad sellers and 213 consumers and microbiological laboratory analysis of 96 samples of ready-to-eat salad. Findings showed higher contamination in street-vended salads than those in cafeterias with thermotelerant coliforms levels of 4.00-5.43 log units per 100 g salad, 32% of samples had Salmonella sp., and 17% had helminth eggs. Overall, there was an insignificant inverse relationship between salad consumption and gastrointestinal diseases among street salad consumers (RR = 0.81) and a strong positive relationship with cafeteria consumers (RR = 5.51). However, stratified analysis on relative risk showed a likelihood of strong influence from other risk factors embedded in socio-economic status such as poor sanitation. We recommend more integrated studies on risk factors for gastrointestinal diseases in poor urban areas.
U2 - 10.1504/ijfsnph.2011.044544
DO - 10.1504/ijfsnph.2011.044544
M3 - Journal article
SN - 1479-3911
VL - 4
SP - 152
EP - 166
JO - International Journal of Food Safety, Nutrition and Public Health
JF - International Journal of Food Safety, Nutrition and Public Health
IS - 2-4
ER -