 Naglaa A. El-Sherbiny (Correspondence)  naglaahatem@hotmail.com  + This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. Publication rights with Alkhaer Publications. Published at: http://www.ijsciences.com/pub/issue/2018-01/ DOI: 10.18483/ijSci.1497; Online ISSN: 2305-3925; Print ISSN: 2410-4477 Community based Survey of Typhoid Fever in Fayoum, Egypt. Awareness, Assessment and Food Handlers' Appraisal Naglaa A. El Sherbiny 1 , Mohamed Masoud 1 , Asmaa Younis 1 1 Public Health Dept., Faculty of Medicine-Fayoum University, Gamma St., Keman Square -Fayoum-Egypt 1. Introduction: 1.1 Typhoid fever is considered to be a significant, systemic public health disease; caused by Salmonella enterica serotypeTyphi (Salmonella Typhi) especially in countries with limited resources (Claire el al. 2014; Polonsky et al. 2012). The risk of infection is related to socio-demographic factors such as; poor sanitation and hygiene, which are associated with the unavailability of pure water supply (Vollard et al. 2004). 1.2 S. Typhi world-wide is estimated to cause 21 million new infections annually, which could result in severe complications such as; bleeding and perforation of the gastrointestinal tract that in turn may lead to 200,000–600,000 deaths (Buckle et al. 2012; Crump et al. 2004). Environmental sanitation techniques, such as ensuring water and food safety and vaccination at risk areas are the strategies approved by the WHO (World Health Organization) to control the disease (Crump et al. 2010; Ochiai et al. 2008). 1.3 The sustainable development goal 6.1 ad 6.2 (SDGs) noted that by 2030, it will achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all, also will achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and as well as paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations (United Nations, 2016). 1.4 Food safety has been one of the paramount concerns in this century; because eating food prepared outside the home is a risk factor for foodborne diseases and has been responsible for nearly 70% of outbreaks (Mulgeta and Bayeh 2012; Chapman et al. 2010). Food handlers play an important role in ensuring food safety throughout the chain of production, processing, storage and preparation (Dozie et al. 2009). The global strategy of the WHO is to decrease the risk of foodborne diseases and to train food handlers with simple health messages known as “The Five Keys to Safer Food” (WHO, 2006). These messages explain the basic principles for prevention of foodborne diseases, through understanding the chain of safety starting from farm (site of production) to table (site of consumption), as this was the theme of World Health Day 2015, which focused on demonstrating the importance of food safety right through the whole food chain (WHO, 2015). 1.5 Fayoum, nonetheless, stands among the consistently lowest ranking five governorates. In 2008, it reached 20 th in Egypt’s human development index and remained in this low position for several years. Such deteriorating situation is related to several factors, on top of them are high illiteracy rates and poverty. Strong traditional belief such as; early marriage, is closely connected to the rural community, especially to women and is still practiced in this area (Human Development Report, 2008). 1.6 This study aims to estimate the knowledge and awareness of Typhoid fever amongst the Fayoum community. It endeavours to assess the food handlers’ practice and to evaluate the sanitary condition of food establishments. 2. Methods: 2.1 This research was a cross sectional descriptive study, conducted over a period of three months (April-June 2014) in Fayoum governorate, Egypt. Egypt ranks 108 th out of 187 countries in the 2014 Human Development Index (HDI). There are many developmental challenges opposing Egypt, including that 26.3% of Egyptians live below the poverty line, and 28% of people aged 15 and older are illiterate (Human Development Report 2015). Fayoum is one of the 29 governorates of