Parasitic Contamination of Naira Notes in Circulation Within Yenagoa Metropolis, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study focused on the investigation of parasitic contamination of naira notes in circulation within Yenagoa metropolis, Bayelsa State. A total of 200 (25 each) naira notes of N5, N10, N20, N50, N100, N200, N500 and N1000 denominations were randomly collected from members of the public. Normal saline and Zinc Sulphate concentration techniques were used to isolate the parasites from the samples. The results from the laboratory analysis of the naira notes revealed that 52(26%) out of the 200 various denominations of the naira note was contaminated with one form of parasite or the other. The results further indicated that contamination was more on the #100 note (48), followed by #200 note (40%), #50 note (32%), #20 note (24%), #5 and #500 (20% each),while #10 and #1000 notes were the least contaminated (12% each). Among the various species of parasites identified, Ascaris lumbricoides and Enterobius vermicularis were most prevalent (26.9%) each, followed by Giardia lamblia (25%), while Entamoeba histolytica was the least prevalent (21.2%). Education and sensitization on the need to use wet pads or simply clean water instead of tongue wetting the fingers while counting money, putting of money into wallets and not on dirty surfaces, discouragement of spraying the naira notes on individuals during parties and proper hand washing with soap and water after using the toilet are recommended to reduce contamination of the naira notes.