Determination of intestinal parasitic contamination of naira notes in Sokoto metropolis

Money is the most widely handled material throughout the world. It goes through clean and dirty hands and can get contaminated with parasites and pathogens. This study investigated the prevalence of intestinal parasitic contamination of naira notes in Sokoto metropolis. A total of one hundred and sixty (160) samples of Nigerian Naira notes consisting of twenty (20) pieces of each denomination were used for this study. Samples were collected from food vendors, fruits/vegetables sellers, petrol attendants, butchers, and then screened using microscopic technique. Out of the 160 samples examined, 50 (31.3%) were contaminated with parasite species that spread across Ascaris lumbricoides 34 (68%), Entamoeba histolytica 22 (44%), Hookworm 26 (52%), Balantidium coli 16 (32%) and Strongyloides stercoralis 11 (22%). The 100 notes (40%) were the most contaminated denomination of the currency examined and naira notes obtained from food vendors were the most contaminated with intestinal parasites. The physical conditions (clean, dirty and very dirty) of all Naira notes accommodate parasites on them, with very dirty notes having the highest prevalence rate of 53.3%. This study showed that the Nigerian currency notes in circulation within Sokoto metropolis are contaminated with five parasite species that are known to be pathogenic to humans. Thus, the handlers of such Naira notes may possibly stand a chance of being infected with the parasites recorded if their hands are not properly washed and sanitized after transactions.