Prevalence and Produce-Specific Risk of Parasitic Contamination of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables in Local Markets of Iddo Community, Gwagwalada Area Council, FCT, Abuja, Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study

Fresh fruits and vegetables are essential dietary components but can serve as vehicles for transmitting parasitic infections, particularly in settings with inadequate sanitation. This study assessed the prevalence and produce-specific risk of parasitic contamination in commonly consumed fruits and vegetables sold in local markets of Iddo community, Gwagwalada Area Council, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria. A cross-sectional, purposive study was conducted in December 2023 across three markets: Iddo Modern Market, Barko Market, and Fruits Market. A total of 150 samples comprising five fruits (orange, pawpaw, watermelon, pineapple and banana) and five vegetables (cucumber, cabbage, carrot, pumpkin leaf and garden egg leaf), with 15 samples per produce type, were examined using sedimentation and flotation techniques with microscopic identification. Chi-square analysis was used to assess associations between parasitic contamination and produce types, with statistical significance set at P ≤ 0.05. Of 150 samples, 80 (53.33%) were contaminated with at least one parasite. Cabbage (66.7%) and carrot (66.7%) had the highest contamination rates, followed by banana (60.0%) and cucumber (60.0%); orange had the lowest (26.7%). Among contaminated samples, vegetables accounted for 62.7% and fruits 37.3%. The submitted analysis reported a significant association between contamination and produce type (χ² = 90.601, df = 63, P = .013). More than half of the fresh produce examined was contaminated with parasites. High contamination among cabbage, carrot, banana and cucumber highlights the need for improved hygiene, market regulation and consumer education to reduce foodborne parasitic infection.

parasitic contamination; fruits; vegetables; prevalence; food safety; Iddo; Abuja; Nigeria

1. Liu, R.H. (2013). Health-promoting components of fruits and vegetables in the diet. Advances in Nutrition 4(3): 384S-392S. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Dias, J.S. (2012). Nutritional quality and health benefits of vegetables: A review. Food and Nutrition Sciences 3(10): 1354-1374. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Maikai, B.V., Elisha, I.A. and Baba-Onoja, E.B. (2012). Contamination of farm produce by wastewater. International Journal of Plant, Animal and Environmental Sciences 2(2): 5-9. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Beuchat, L.R. (2002). Ecological factors influencing survival and growth of human pathogens on raw fruits and vegetables. Microbes and Infection 4(4): 413-423. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Al-Binali, A.M., Bello, C.S., El-Shewy, K. and Abdulla, S.E. (2006). The prevalence of parasites in commonly used leafy vegetables in South Western Saudi Arabia. Saudi Medical Journal 27(5): 613-616. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Daryani, A., Ettehad, G.H., Sharif, M., Ghorbani, L. and Ziaei, H. (2012). Prevalence of intestinal parasites in vegetables consumed in Ardabil, Iran. Food Control 21(8): 1-5. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Idahosa, O.T. (2011). Studies on zoonotic disease risks from bio-solids in Edo State, Nigeria. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Edinburgh. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Walked, H. (2009). Public Health Services: A Practical Overview of Operation and Management. Jones and Bartlett Publishers. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. World Health Organization (1987). Prevention and Control of Intestinal Parasitic Infections. WHO Technical Report Series No. 749. Geneva: World Health Organization. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Luca, R.C., Ibvan, H.G. and Carmen, C. (2000). Role of waste vegetables for risk of Toxoplasma gondii and Ascaris spp. transmission. Veterinary Parasitology 93: 153-161. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Adamu, N.B., Adamu, J.Y., Mohammed, D., Samaila, A.B., Gidado, S. and Lawal, U. (2018). Parasitic contamination of fruits and vegetables sold in markets in Sokoto State, North Western Nigeria: implications for public health. Journal of Parasitology Research 2018: 5729391. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Otesile, E.B., Otesile, A.T., Adediran, O.A. and Olaosebikan, R. (2016). Prevalence of parasitic contamination of commonly consumed raw vegetables in Lagos metropolis, Nigeria. African Journal of Microbiology Research 10(4): 104-110. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Akindele, A.A., Agbolade, O.M., Gyang, V.P. and Bemigho, R.N. (2021). Parasitic contamination of commonly consumed fruits and vegetables in Ogun State, Nigeria. Journal of Advances in Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences 24(5): 1-9. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Balogun, I.I. (2011). Urban environmental problems in Nigeria: implications for sustainable development. Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa 13(7): 124-145. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Olayinka, A. and Adewale, B. (2020). Effects of environmental factors on fruit phenology in the rainforests of southwestern Nigeria. Ecological Processes 9(1): 1-12. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Nyarango, R.M., Aloo, P.A., Kabiru, E.W., Nyanchongi, B.O. and Afandi, S. (2003). Standardized ratio for proper dilution and effective extraction of parasitic material. Journal of Parasitology 89(3): 538-542. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Damen, J.G., Banwat, E.B., Egah, D.Z. and Allanana, J.A. (2007). Parasitic contamination of vegetables in Jos, Nigeria. Annals of African Medicine 6(4): 157-161. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. World Health Organization (2018). Guidelines for the Detection and Quantification of Foodborne Parasites. Geneva: World Health Organization. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Abougrain, A.K., Nahaisi, M.H., Madi, N.S., Saied, M.M., Ghenghesh, K.S. and Al Megrin, W.A. (2010). Parasitological contamination of salad vegetables sold in Tripoli, Libya. Food Control 21(8): 1156-1158. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Uga, S., Hoa, N.T.V., Noda, S., Moji, K., Cong, L., Aoki, Y. and Takakura, Y. (2009). Parasite egg contamination of vegetables from a suburban market in Hanoi, Vietnam. Nepal Medical College Journal 11(2): 75-78. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Akinbo, F.O., Omoregie, R. and Okaka, C.E. (2017). Prevalence of intestinal parasites in vegetables consumed in Benin City, Nigeria. Food Control 86: 55-59. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Erkan, M.E. and Vural, A. (2008). Investigation of parasites in vegetables from territories Meander region in Turkey. Parasitology Research 102(3): 491-496. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. Duedu, K.O., Yarnie, E.A., Tetteh-Quarcoo, P.B., Attah, S.K. and Donkor, E.S. (2015). A comparative survey of the prevalence of human parasites found in fresh vegetables sold in supermarkets and open-aired markets in Accra, Ghana. BMC Research Notes 8: 486. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. Mengist, H.M., Taye, B. and Tsegaye, A. (2020). Intestinal parasitosis among vegetable farmers in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study. Journal of Tropical Medicine 2020. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. Amahmid, O., Asmama, S. and Bouhoum, K. (2002). Urban wastewater as a vector for the transmission of parasites. Journal of Parasitology 88(5): 964-969. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

26. Adanir, R. and Tasci, F. (2013). Prevalence of helminth eggs in raw vegetables consumed in Burdur, Turkey. Food Control 31(2): 482-484. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

27. Erume, J., Ocaido, M. and Kabasa, J.D. (2012). Parasites and their impacts on the fruits and vegetables market: the case of selected markets in Kenya. East African Medical Journal 89(3): 82-88. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

28. Rocha, S., Silva, P. and Santos, M. (2020). Parasitic contamination of fresh produce in Brazil: a systematic review. Acta Parasitologica 65(3): 561-572. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Assessment of the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Repositioning TVET for Economic Development in Nigeria
• Teachers’ Use of Assure Model Instructional Design on Learners’ Problem Solving Efficacy in Secondary Schools in Bungoma County, Kenya
• “E-Booksan Ang Kaalaman”: Development, Validation, and Utilization of Electronic Book in Academic Performance of Grade 9 Students in Social Studies
• Analyzing EFL University Students’ Academic Speaking Skills Through Self-Recorded Video Presentation
• Major Findings of The Study on Total Quality Management in Teachers’ Education Institutions (TEIs) In Assam – An Evaluative Study