"Evidence of Helminthic Contamination of Fruits and Vegetables in Kaduna, Nigeria"

Abstract

This study was carried out to assess the helminthic contamination of fruits and vegetables within Kaduna metropolis between January 2021 and April 2021. Fourteen (14) types of fruits and vegetables were obtained from three randomly selected markets and examined using sedimentation and microscopy methods of the 406 samples examined, 79 (19.5%) were contaminated with at least one parasitic helminth out of the four species; Strongyloides stercoralis (51.9%); Fasciola sp (27.8%); A. lumbricoides (11.3%) and Hookworm (9.0%) observed. Vegetables were more contaminated (21.1%) than fruits (17.2%) while Lettuce, alongside onions, had the highest prevalence of contamination (34.5%) and Cabbage was the least contaminated (10.3%). Prevalence of helminthic contamination was related to various parameters such as market location, handling by vendors, source, etc. Samples gotten from Station Market were the most contaminated (22.1%) while Central Market (19.0%) and Monday Market (17.1%) had lower prevalence of contaminations. Fruits and vegetables collected from open market vendors who display them on sacks on the floor were more contaminated (19.8%) than those collected from grocery stores where they are displayed on aluminum trays (18.3%). The fruit and vegetable samples purchased directly from farmers within the markets were also more contaminated (20.0%) than those purchased from vendors (19.4%). However, there was no significant relationship between contamination and the source. The findings of this study are very vital for policy formation and implementation, both in Nigeria and anywhere else, in preventing transmission of helminths via fruits and vegetables, which may result in disastrous epidemic outbreaks in the future. It is therefore pertinent that fruit and vegetable farming, transportation, sale and consumption be monitored and regulated, to forestall the spread of pathogenic parasites contaminating this nutritional food.