AWARENESS OF IRAQI CONSUMERS TO FOODBORNE ILLNESS RISKS

Abstract

Many of Iraqi consumers suffered every year from foodborne illness including food poisoning, symptoms of their diseases varies from usual symptoms which ends after a few days to severe cases which require hospitalization, and sometimes lead to death. In this research we collected data from Iraqi directorates related with consumer’s health to investigate the awareness of Iraqi population against foodborne illness. The questionnaire used as a tool research, based on information collected. Four most commune pathogens, which caused almost foodborne illness among Iraqi consumers have been investigated in the research. The collection data has been done by the questionnaire addressed to 500 consumers. The research focused to ask Iraqi consumer about their awareness of the pathogens causing foodborne illness and the way of infection. Results showed that Iraqi consumers were aware of foodborne illness risks causing by pathogens as following consequently: Typhoid Fever Sallmonella typhi 48%, Escherichia coli E coli 44%, Brucellosis Brucella ssp. 38%, Shigellosis Shigella ssp. 30%, and Amebiasis Entamoeba histolytica 21%.                  

The results obtained by the research reflected a lack in awareness of Iraqi consumer against pathogens causing foodborne illness.