Geo-helminths on leafy vegetables sold in Ogidi market, Idemili north local government area, Anambra state, Nigeria

Consumption of contaminated vegetables is a way through which people get infected with parasites. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Geo-helminth parasites that contaminate leafy vegetables sold in Ogidi market, Anambra state. The markets investigated were Oye Ogidi, Ekenweje and Nkwo Ogidi and vegetables were procured directly from the rural farmers who brought the vegetables to the markets which were examined in the laboratory for the presence of parasites using sedimentation method. Chi square was used to test for relationships at 95% confidence interval (p<0.05). Geo-helminth parasites observed were ova of Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichuria, Hookworm and larvae of Strongyloides stercoralis with an overall prevalence of 56%. There was statistical significance on the parasites and vegetables sold in the three markets (X2= 0.00; P<0.05). Ascaris lumbricoides had the highest prevalence rate of 25.6%, while Hookworm had the least prevalence rate of 7.6%. The vegetable that had the highest contamination rate was Scent leaf (16.6%), while Uziza had the least contamination rate (5.3%) but there was no significance relationship in the prevalence of parasites and vegetables (X2=0.57; P>0.05). Ekenweje market had the highest contamination rate (7.1%), while Oye Ogidi had the least contamination rate (4.9%) but there was no significant relationship between the parasites and the markets (X2=0.98; P>0.05). These findings may have important implications for global food safety and emphasize the importance of leafy vegetables in public health through transmission of Geo-helminth parasites to humans in Nigeria. Individuals and local health authorities should improve the sanitary conditions in the areas where the vegetables are cultivated and consumed. Therefore, proper treatment of wastewater used in the irrigation of vegetables, and improvement of sanitary facilities in our markets and among vegetable vendors are recommended.