PREVALENCE OF HELMENTHS PARASITES IN VEGETABLES SOLD IN JAMA’ARE METROPOLIS, BAUCHI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Consumption of raw vegetables provides essential nutrient to humans. However, eating these
vegetables raw without proper washing serve as one of the major factors responsible for high
morbidity and mortality globally. The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of soiltransmitted
helminths (STH) parasites in commonly used vegetables in Jama’are Town, north
east Nigeria. A total of 150 fresh raw vegetable samples were obtained from various markets
within the study area. Each sample was divided into two groups; unwashed and washed with
traditional method. The samples were examined using sedimentation concentration technique
and data obtained were analyzed using Chi square in SPSS version 24. The overall prevalence
of STH parasites was 22.6%. The unwashed vegetables (29.3%) had more STH contamination
than the washed vegetables (16.0%). There was a significantly difference between the
occurrence of STH parasites between unwashed and washed vegetables (χ2=14.21, P=0.001).
Spinach (26.6%) had the highest prevalence, followed by cabbage, lettuce and carrot which all
have 23.3% contamination while green pepper had the least contamination. For the unwashed,
spinach (8%) had the highest prevalence while green paper (4.0%) has the least. There was no
significant difference between the occurrence of STH parasite and the vegetable types
(χ2=4.200, P=0.380). For the washed, cabbage and lettuce (4%) harboured more contamination
while spinach, carrot and green paper (2.6%) have the least. Similarly, there was no significant
difference between the occurrence of STH parasite and the vegetable types (χ2=3.00, P=0.558).
The overall prevalence of STH infections in all the vegetables were as follows: hookworms
(30.3%), Ascaris lumbricoides and Strongyloides (21.2%), Taenia sp. and Trichuris trichiura
(15.2%). The results of the present study provide evidence that vegetables are potential risk
factor for transmission of STH infection to human in Jama’are Metropolis, Bauchi State.
Therefore, it is indispensable for retailers and consumers to proper wash their vegetables before
consumption as this is necessary to reduce STH contamination.