Prevalence of helminths on raw vegetables and hygienic practices among vegetable marketers in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

The study assessed the prevalence of helminths on raw vegetables presented for sales and the level of hygienic practices among vegetable marketers in Maiduguri. All the markets surveyed were categorized into quadrants for the purpose of this study. A total of three hundred and twenty samples of spinach, cabbage, lettuce, carrot, green beans, green pepper, garden egg and tomatoes were collected. Forty samples per each vegetable type were collected in the study, while ten samples per vegetable were collected from every quadrant (market). One hundred questionnaires were administered to 100 vegetable marketers in order to evaluate hygienic practices during sourcing, transportation and retailing of vegetables. Collected vegetables were analysed using standard parasitological technique. In all, 29 (9.06%) vegetables were contaminated with one parasite or the other, consisting of Strongyle egg 5 (1.56%), Taenia egg 4 (1.25%), Nematode larvae 17 (5.31%), Ancylostoma egg 1 (0.31%) and Ascaris lumbricoides egg 2 (0.62%). Based on the type of vegetable; cabbage and lettuce each had 5 (12.5%) parasites, while carrot and green beans had 2 (5.0%) and 17 (42.5%) respectively. Recovered parasites were significantly associated with the vegetable types. Custom/Gamboru Market recorded the highest contamination of 9 (11.25%) parasites, followed by University/Bama Road 7 (8.75%), Baga Road/Monday Market 5 (6.25%), while Bulumkutu/Gomari had least contamination rate of 8 (10.0%). There was no statistically significant association between parasites isolation and the market location. Eighteen (18) (62.07%) of the contaminated vegetables were unwashed. This study had demonstrated an increased prevalence of helminths in the sampled vegetables. Similarly, strong association exists between parasite isolation and hygienic practices especially the type of medium used for washing vegetables and the practice of hand washing prior to handling. These findings are important in view of the type of parasites found, their mode of transmissions and the current socio-economic status of the consumers. Keywords: vegetable, helminths, contamination, insurgency, Maiduguri