Educational strategy for the prevention of salmonellosis (Salmonella spp) from handling guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) in retail centers, district of Chosica, Peru

Abstract

The objective of this research was to propose actions as part of an educational strategy for the prevention of food zoonosis due to salmonellosis in centers where meat products are sold in Cuyes, district of Chosica, Peru.  A descriptive, non-experimental field study was carried out for the year 2023. The unit of analysis was 32 merchants from the different markets that sell guinea pig carcasses in the district of Chosica. The enriched culture technique was used in this group for the identification of Salmonella spp in guinea pig carcasses. In addition, a semi-structured interview was implemented to diagnose the sanitary conditions in the handling of guinea pigs and thus propose the actions of the educational strategy to prevent salmonellosis. The educational strategy aimed at guinea pig traders and handlers in the centers of sale consisted of the following actions: Talks on biosecurity and occupational risk, Attracting attention through illustrations to avoid cross-contamination, Technical workshops on food zoonosis, Focus Group to identify new zoonosis risks and Circular Economy workshops for guinea pig waste management, all linked to cold chain, Handling of perishable foods, packaging for consumption and waste management. The results indicate that 18.7% of the guinea pig carcasses examined were positive for Salmonella spp, which shows a moderate frequency of presence of this bacterium, together with the fact that most of the traders did not give educational talks on the handling of this native food, which is so important for its protein quality.