Epidemiology and public health implications of parasitic contamination of fruits, vegetables, and water in Kwara Central, Nigeria
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Date
2022
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Annals of Parasitology, Polish Parasitological Society
Abstract
Fruits and vegetables are sources of parasitic infections in humans. This study was designed to determine
the epidemiology of parasitic contamination of fruits, vegetables, and water, as well as the perception of retailers,
buyers, and consumers about its contamination in Kwara Central, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study design was employed
for this study. A total of 160 fruits, 349 vegetables, and 51 water samples were randomly purchased/collected from thirty
different markets. The samples were subjected to sedimentation and modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining techniques. All the
types of fruits and vegetables sampled were contaminated with one or more parasites. Eleven different species of
zoonotic parasites (6 protozoans and 5 helminths) were detected. Entamoeba coli (39.8%) and Strongyloides stercoralis
(9.6%) were the most prevalent protozoan and helminth respectively. The prevalence of other protozoan parasites
ranged between 21.3% (Entamoeba histolytica) and 2.3% (Balantidium coli), while that of helminths was between 5.7%
(Ascaris lumbricoides) and 2.1% (Trichuris trichiura). Source of fruits and vegetables, source of manure for cultivation,
the source of water for washing/wetting purpose, market type, washing of fruits and vegetables before display, the
presence of children at home and in the market, and knowledge of parasitic contamination were the risk factors
associated (P<0.05) with parasitic contamination of fruits and vegetables among sellers. There is a need to educate the
general public on the possibilities of parasitic contamination of fruits and vegetables and its public health implications.
Description
Keywords
fruits, parasitic contamination, public health implications, vegetables, zoonotic, Nigeria
Citation
Ola-Fadunsin, S. D., Adebanjo, A. O., Abdullah, D. A., Hussain, K., Sanda, I. M., Rabiu, M., Ganiyu, I. A., Elelu, N., Aiyedun, J. O. and Oludairo, O. O. (2022): Epidemiology and public health implications of parasitic contamination of fruits, vegetables, and water in Kwara Central, Nigeria. Annals of Parasitology, 68 (2): 339–352