Evaluation of Human Parasites Associated with Common Edible Vegetables Sold in Rural Markets in the Niger Delta Region

A study on evaluation of human intestinal parasite associated with edible vegetables commonly consumed in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, was carried out to determine parasitic contamination of these daily consumed items. The samples included waterleaf, pumpkin leaf, scent leaf, cucumber, and okazi leaf, sold in the rural markets in Akabuka, Ogbogu, Omoku, Oboburu, and Obirikom, all in Ogba-Egbema Ndoni LGA of the Niger Delta. A total of 250 fresh vegetable samples were purchased and examined for the presence of human intestinal parasites such as Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Strongloides stercoralis, two primary species of Hookworm namely Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale, and Entamoeba histolytica, using centrifugal floatation and microscopy methods. Results of the findings reveal that, among the vegetable samples examined, Waterleaf (Talium triangulare) had higher contamination of 25.0%, followed by Pumpkin leaf (Telfaria occidentalis) 11.2%, and the least contamination was observed in Okazi leaf (Gnetum africanum). The most frequently observed parasites were Ascaris lumbricoides 16(20.2%) and Entamoeba histolytica 6(14.2%), while the least parasites prevalence was recorded with Trichuris trichiura 1(3.1%). The findings of this study showed that vegetables sold in the markets could be potential sources for the transmission of human intestinal infections, due to their cultivation and storage processes, corroborating findings of various studies in Nigeria that human intestinal parasites cause common infections worldwide and are observed to be contacted through their infective eggs and larvae in the soil. There is need for sensitization of consumers on thorough washing and observation of proper hygiene to prevent the public health hazards associated with eating these nutritious vegetables.