Prevalence of parasitic ova/cysts on fruits and vegetables sold in Afikpo North Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Fruits and vegetables are good sources of vitamin C, carotene, mineral elements, iron and fiber. Most fruits and vegetables are eaten raw without being cooked. This attitude has led to the development of some parasitic diseases caused by the ova/cysts of intestinal parasites. These parasitic diseases affect the normal health conditions of the body and its development. Hence the need to investigate the prevalence of ova/cysts on fruits and vegetables sold in Afikpo North Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Out of 2,800 fruits sampled, 28.36% were contaminated with different species of ova/cysts of intestinal parasites. Of the fruits sampled, mango (Magnifera indica) was the most contaminated (35.75%), while the least fruits contaminated were apple (Mallus domestica) (22.25%) and water melon (Citrus vulgaris) (22.25%). Also, of the 2,240 vegetables sampled, 44.87% were contaminated with various species of ova/cysts of intestinal parasites. Water leaf (Talinum triangulare) was the most contaminated (50.00%), while okro (Abelmosecus esculentum) was the least contaminated (38.13%). Fruits sampled from Enohia market were the most contaminated with ova/cysts of intestinal parasites (29.25%) while fruits sampled from Eke market Afikpo were the least contaminated (18.50%). Also, vegetables sampled from Akpoha market were the most contaminated with ova/cysts of intestinal parasites (45.00%), while vegetables from Eke market Afikpo were the least contaminated (31.56%). Of all the parasitic ova/cysts of intestinal parasites recovered, Ascaris lumbricoides was the most common in both fruits and vegetables sampled (6.54%) and (9.95%) respectively. While Balantidium coli was the least common in both fruits and vegetables sampled (3.75%) and (5.45%) respectively. Poor handling of fruits and vegetables were the major reasons for the high rate of contamination of fruits and vegetables in the study area. Building of shopping malls and proper washing of the fruits and vegetables are some safe practices that will help to checkmate the high incidence rate of contamination with parasitic ova/cysts.