Prevalence of Human Parasites Associated with Vegetables Sold in Maikatako Market of Bokkos L.G.A Plateau State, Nigeria

Résumé

The importance of vegetables to human health and wellbeing cannot be overemphasized as they form a major component of a healthy diet. This study is aimed at determining the prevalence of human parasites associated with vegetables in Maikatako Market. A total of two hundred (200) vegetable samples were collected in Maikatako market of Bokkos Local Government Area between the months of October through December, 2016 for analysis. The vegetables sampled include cabbage, carrot, garden egg, lettuce, spinach, spring onions, tomatoes, cucumber, bitter garden egg and green pepper. The vegetables were screened for the presence of parasites using normal saline sedimentation technique. Of the 200 samples collected and analyzed, 69 (34.5%) were positive for the presence of intestinal parasites. Tomatoes had the highest contamination rate of 14 (7.0%) followed by spinach 10 (5.0%), while garden egg and green pepper had contamination rate of 3 (1.5%) each. Among the parasites encountered, Entamoeba histolytica had the highest prevalence rate of 27 (13.5%) followed by hookworm with a prevalence rate of 16 (6.0%) while Gardia lamblia and Ascaris lumbricoides each had the least rate of prevalence of 6 (4.0%). Statistically, there is a significant difference between the parasites isolated and the vegetables studied (p<0.05). The result of this research is an indication that human parasites can be acquired through the consumption of these vegetables, especially when not properly and hygienically prepared before taken to market.