Prevalence of Parasitic Contamination of Vegetables Sold in Dutsin-Ma Markets, Katsina State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of parasitic contamination of vegetables sold in Dustin-Ma markets, Katsina State. A total of 270 vegetables including of lettuce, cabbage, spinach and sesame were obtained from three selected markets (Kasuwann Laraba, Kasuwann Aminu and Kasuwann Kadangaru), and examined for presence of parasitic eggs, cyst, larvae and worms by using using sedimentation method methods. This study found that of 88.9% of the vegetables sold in Dustin-ma markets tested positive for the presence of parasite contamination. The distribution of specific parasites among positive samples reveals the presence of Ascaris species 65(24.1%), hookworm 39(14.4%), Trichuris species 16(5.9%), Taenia species 23(8.5%), Hymenolepsis species 6(2.2%), Enterobius vermicularis 25(9.3%), Fasciola species 13(4.8), Toxocara species 4(1.5%) and Strongyloides stercoralis 49(18.1%). The lettuce, cabbage, spinach and sesame samples were contaminated with helminthic parasites with 27.1%, 28.8%, 27.1% and 17.1% respectively. Vegetable samples from Kasuwann Laraba had the highest prevalence of 85(31.5%), and Kasuwan Aminu with a total prevalence of 78(28.9%), while Kasuwann Kadangaru had the lowest prevalence with a total prevalence of 77(28.5%) at P < 0.05. Vegetables are important constituents of healthy diet and people have been encouraged to eat lots of raw (fresh) vegetables and these can serve as vehicles of transmitting enteric parasitic pathogens throughout the process of planting to consumption. Proper washing of vegetable is imperative, improve Sanitation and Hygiene Practices and Health Education are necessary for managing the prevalence of geohelminth parasites.