PREVALENCE, DIVERSITY, AND INTENSITY OF INTESTINAL PARASITIC CONTAMINATION IN EDIBLE LEAFY VEGETABLES SOLD IN AGO IWOYE MARKET, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Jerome Otiti; Wunmi Anthonia Abimbola-Okunneye

doi:10.55251/jmbfs.13855

Authors

Jerome Otiti University of Fort Hare https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2039-7434
Wunmi Anthonia Abimbola-Okunneye Department of Zoology and Environmental biology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, P.M.B. 2002, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55251/jmbfs.13855

Keywords:

Vegetables, parasitic contamination, food safety, public health

Abstract

Background: Consumption of raw leafy vegetables contaminated with intestinal parasites poses a significant public health risk. In Nigeria, such vegetables are commonly eaten without cooking, yet data on their parasitic contamination remain limited. This study investigated the prevalence, diversity, and intensity of intestinal parasites in vegetables sold at Ago‑Iwoye Market, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Methods: A cross‑sectional survey was conducted between March and May 2017 on 240 samples of four leafy vegetables: Talinum triangulare (waterleaf), Celosia argentea (Lagos spinach), Telfairia occidentalis (fluted pumpkin), and Corchorus olitorius (white jute). Parasites were detected using standard parasitological techniques. Data were analysed for prevalence, species distribution, mixed infections, and mean parasite intensity. Differences among vegetable types were assessed using Chi‑square analysis.

Results: Overall, 82 samples (34.2%) were contaminated. Telfairia occidentalis exhibited the highest contamination (46.7%), followed by Talinum triangulare (38.3%), Corchorus olitorius (31.7%), and Celosia argentea (20.0%). Six parasite species were identified; Ascaris lumbricoides was most prevalent (11.3%), followed by Entamoeba histolytica (10.0%) and Giardia lamblia (6.3%). Mixed infections were frequent, particularly in Telfairia occidentalis (34.1%) and Talinum triangulare (28.0%). Mean parasite intensity ranged from 0.20 to 0.47 parasites per sample. The distribution of Trichuris trichiura differed significantly among vegetables (χ² = 11.624, p = 0.009).

Conclusion: Leafy vegetables sold at Ago‑Iwoye Market are moderately contaminated with intestinal parasites, including multiple species per sample. These findings provide baseline evidence of public health relevance and underscore the importance of improved hygiene practices, vendor education, and consumer awareness to reduce the risk of food‑borne parasitic infections.