Burden of Intestinal Parasites on Selected Vegetables Sold in Major Markets in Port Harcourt Metropolis

Abstract

The study was undertaken to determine the burden of intestinal parasites on vegetables at three markets in Port Harcourt metropolis. A total of 160 vegetables were sampled from Fruit garden market, Mile Three market and Port Harcourt township market for intestinal parasites contamination. The 5 vegetables examined include: Oha leaf (Pterotcarpus mildbreadii), Okazi/Afang leaf (Gnetum africanum), Pumpkin leaf (Cucurbita specie), Water leaf (Talinum Triangulare) and Tomatoes (Lycopersicum sativus) which is a fruit. The samples were examined for parasites using the sedimentation and formol ether concentration methods. From the investigation, a total of 136 (85.0%) of the vegetables were positive for intestinal parasites in which Pumpkin leaf recorded the highest parasite contamination 34 (21.3%). This is followed by Oha leaf 32 (20.0%) while tomatoes recorded the lowest parasitic contamination of 16 (10%). The isolated parasites were Ascaris lumbricoides 62 (38.75%), followed by larva of Strongiloides stecoralis 48 (30%), then Hookworm 21 (13.1%) while Entamoeba histolytica recorded 5 (3.23%). Port Harcourt township had the highest number of parasites 50 (31.3%), while both fruit garden market and Mile III market recorded 43 (26.8%) of parasitic load. Statistically there was no significant difference in parasitic detection among the 3 markets (p>0.05). Similarly, there was a statistically significant difference between formal ether concentration method when compared to sedimentation method (p<0.05). Formol ether method is a far better method than sedimentation method. Thorough washing of vegetables should be encouraged to reduce the rate of infection.