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Diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. Contamination of Food and Water Consumed by Children with Diarrhoea in Maputo, Mozambique

Author

Listed:
  • Sara Faife

    (Department of Consumer and Food Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Pretoria 0028, South Africa)

  • Custódia Macuamule

    (Department of Hygiene and Public Health, Veterinary Faculty, Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo P.O. Box 257, Mozambique)

  • Josphat Gichure

    (Department of Consumer and Food Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Pretoria 0028, South Africa)

  • Tine Hald

    (National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Private Bag 201, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark)

  • Elna Buys

    (Department of Consumer and Food Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Pretoria 0028, South Africa)

Abstract

In Mozambique, about 500,000 cases of diarrhoea were caused by foodborne pathogens in 2018. A review of the epidemiology of diarrhoea in children under five showed a high disease burden. This study aimed to identify Diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) and Salmonella spp. contamination of food and water in urban and rural areas of Maputo consumed by children under five with diarrhoea. One hundred and eighty-six children with diarrhoea were selected from Primeiro de Maio and Marracuene Health Care Centres from the Kamaxakeni and Marracuene districts, respectively. Food (n = 167) and water (n = 100) samples were collected in children’s households for diarrhoeagenic bacterial identification. Interviews were conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire to collect data about demographics and foods consumed a week before the children’s diarrhoea episodes. The prevalence of both DEC and Salmonella spp. was 9.8% in food and 5.4% in water samples. DEC was most prevalent in cereals (urban = 2.8%; rural = 2.4%) and water samples (urban = 1.4%; rural = 3.3%). Salmonella spp. was mainly detected in cereals (urban = 0.7%; rural = 0.8%). Diarrhoeagenic pathogens were associated with the type of food frequently consumed by children under five years with diarrhoea (infant formula, fruit puree, ready-to-eat meals, and bottled water), while the association with demographics was absent. We found that the infant foods consumed by children with diarrhoea are associated with DEC and Salmonella spp., and the prevalence of these contaminants is higher in the rural (8.9%) than in the urban area (6.3%), showing the need for caregiver education on food handling practices.

Suggested Citation

  • Sara Faife & Custódia Macuamule & Josphat Gichure & Tine Hald & Elna Buys, 2024. "Diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. Contamination of Food and Water Consumed by Children with Diarrhoea in Maputo, Mozambique," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(9), pages 1-13, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:9:p:1122-:d:1464220
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Delia Grace, 2015. "Food Safety in Low and Middle Income Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-18, August.
    2. Colette Mmapenya Khabo-Mmekoa & Bettina Genthe & Maggy Ndombo Benteke Momba, 2022. "Enteric Pathogens Risk Factors Associated with Household Drinking Water: A Case Study in Ugu District Kwa-Zulu Natal Province, South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-14, April.
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