Usefulness of radiological and laboratory investigations in food handlers’ medical examinations conducted at a specialist occupational health clinic in Harare, Zimbabwe

Background Food handlers’ medical examinations are mandated by most countries as a way of safeguarding the health and safety of consumers. Foodborne diseases are an important cause of morbidity and mortality. In Zimbabwe, chest radiographs and throat and rectal swab tests are requirements during...

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Main Authors: Moyo, D., Moyo, F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Mettamedia (Pty) Ltd 2022
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Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10520/ejc-ohsa_v27_n3_a5
http://hdl.handle.net/11408/5105
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author Moyo, D.
Moyo, F.
author_facet Moyo, D.
Moyo, F.
author_sort Moyo, D.
collection DSpace
description Background Food handlers’ medical examinations are mandated by most countries as a way of safeguarding the health and safety of consumers. Foodborne diseases are an important cause of morbidity and mortality. In Zimbabwe, chest radiographs and throat and rectal swab tests are requirements during food handlers’ medical examinations. Objective In this study, we explored the patterns and outcomes of physical medical examinations, chest radiographs, and other tests of food handlers. Methods A retrospective review of 157 occupational health records of all food handlers who underwent medical examinations in 2019 and 2020 at an occupational health clinic in Zimbabwe was conducted. Results The mean age of the study participants was 37 years (21–56 years). Males accounted for 73% of the participants. All rectal swabs were normal and no organisms were cultured. One or more organisms were cultured from 24 (15.3%) throat swabs. One hundred and fifty-two (96.8%) chest radiographs were normal, and 152 (96.8%) food handlers were certified fit to work. Of the 99 food handlers with a recorded body mass index, 36 (36.4%) were overweight or obese. The most common medical conditions were hypertension (n = 10, 6.4%) and high blood pressure (n = 16, 10.2%). Conclusion In this study, routine radiological and laboratory testing of food handlers was determined to be of little value. We recommend omitting these costly tests during routine medical examinations of food handlers except where there are clinical indications.
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spelling ir-11408-51052022-08-12T09:40:18Z Usefulness of radiological and laboratory investigations in food handlers’ medical examinations conducted at a specialist occupational health clinic in Harare, Zimbabwe Moyo, D. Moyo, F. fitness medical examinations rectal and throat swabs radiology food handlers Background Food handlers’ medical examinations are mandated by most countries as a way of safeguarding the health and safety of consumers. Foodborne diseases are an important cause of morbidity and mortality. In Zimbabwe, chest radiographs and throat and rectal swab tests are requirements during food handlers’ medical examinations. Objective In this study, we explored the patterns and outcomes of physical medical examinations, chest radiographs, and other tests of food handlers. Methods A retrospective review of 157 occupational health records of all food handlers who underwent medical examinations in 2019 and 2020 at an occupational health clinic in Zimbabwe was conducted. Results The mean age of the study participants was 37 years (21–56 years). Males accounted for 73% of the participants. All rectal swabs were normal and no organisms were cultured. One or more organisms were cultured from 24 (15.3%) throat swabs. One hundred and fifty-two (96.8%) chest radiographs were normal, and 152 (96.8%) food handlers were certified fit to work. Of the 99 food handlers with a recorded body mass index, 36 (36.4%) were overweight or obese. The most common medical conditions were hypertension (n = 10, 6.4%) and high blood pressure (n = 16, 10.2%). Conclusion In this study, routine radiological and laboratory testing of food handlers was determined to be of little value. We recommend omitting these costly tests during routine medical examinations of food handlers except where there are clinical indications. 2022-08-12T09:40:18Z 2022-08-12T09:40:18Z 2021-05 Article 1024-6274 https://hdl.handle.net/10520/ejc-ohsa_v27_n3_a5 http://hdl.handle.net/11408/5105 en Occupational Health Southern Africa;Vol. 27, No. 3. open Mettamedia (Pty) Ltd
spellingShingle fitness
medical examinations
rectal and throat swabs
radiology
food handlers
Moyo, D.
Moyo, F.
Usefulness of radiological and laboratory investigations in food handlers’ medical examinations conducted at a specialist occupational health clinic in Harare, Zimbabwe
title Usefulness of radiological and laboratory investigations in food handlers’ medical examinations conducted at a specialist occupational health clinic in Harare, Zimbabwe
title_full Usefulness of radiological and laboratory investigations in food handlers’ medical examinations conducted at a specialist occupational health clinic in Harare, Zimbabwe
title_fullStr Usefulness of radiological and laboratory investigations in food handlers’ medical examinations conducted at a specialist occupational health clinic in Harare, Zimbabwe
title_full_unstemmed Usefulness of radiological and laboratory investigations in food handlers’ medical examinations conducted at a specialist occupational health clinic in Harare, Zimbabwe
title_short Usefulness of radiological and laboratory investigations in food handlers’ medical examinations conducted at a specialist occupational health clinic in Harare, Zimbabwe
title_sort usefulness of radiological and laboratory investigations in food handlers’ medical examinations conducted at a specialist occupational health clinic in harare, zimbabwe
topic fitness
medical examinations
rectal and throat swabs
radiology
food handlers
url https://hdl.handle.net/10520/ejc-ohsa_v27_n3_a5
http://hdl.handle.net/11408/5105
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