<p>Parasitic Contamination of Fruits and Vegetables Collected from Local Markets of Bahir Dar City, Northwest Ethiopia</p>

Abstract

Background: Fruits and vegetables, which are consumed raw, act as potential sources for the spread of various parasitic diseases. The rate of contamination and species of contaminant parasites varies based on climatic, ecological, and human factors. Therefore, local data about the contamination status and predisposing factors augments efforts for successful control of parasitic diseases. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on fruits and vegetables collected from local markets of Bahir Dar city from February to May 2019. A total of 384 samples were purchased from three randomly selected markets. Data on sociodemographic characteristics of vendors and factors associated with contamination of fruits and vegetables were collected using a structured questionnaire. About 200 g of fruit and vegetable samples were processed for parasites using direct wet mount and modified Zeihl-Neelson staining techniques following standard protocols. All data were analyzed using SPSS version 23. Results: Among a total of 384 fruit and vegetable samples purchased from 112 vendors, 150 (39.1%) were contaminated with at least one species of parasite. Lettuce (56.4%) and mango (16.7%) were the most and the least commonly contaminated items respectively. Larva of Strongyloides species (13.5%) was the most frequently detected parasite followed by cysts of Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar (12.8%). Contamination was more common in vegetables than fruits (AOR=2.968, p<0.001). Fruits and vegetables purchased from vendors with untrimmed fingernails (AOR=1.966, p=0.006), directly delivered from farmers (AOR=1.883, p=0.040), displayed in bucket with water (AOR=2.676, p=0.017) and those displayed without washing (AOR=5.511, p<0.001) were significantly associated with parasitic contamination. Conclusion: The level of parasitic contamination of fruits and vegetables in Bahir Dar city is of public health importance. Hence, the public health sector should create public awareness in order to reduce parasitic transmission via fruits and vegetables.

Parasitic Contamination of Fruits and Vegetables Collected from Selected Local Markets in Abuja, North Central Nigeria

“…Waterleaf (80%) was found to be the most frequently contaminated product, while lettuce (18.2%) was found to be the least contaminated. The high prevalence of parasitic contamination on vegetables compared to fruits is similar to what (Theophilus Idahosa, 2011) (Windows et al, 2014) (Alemu et al, 2020) (Nasiru, Auta, & Bawa, 2015)reported. The variation in contamination between the products might be explained by the fact that vegetables such as pumpkin leaf, waterleaf, and cabbage are planted on larger and uneven surfaces.…”

“…This finding was similar to previous reports in Alexandria, Egypt(El Said Said, 2012), and in Ardabil, Iran (Daryani, Ettehad, Sharif, Ghorbani, & Ziaei, 2008), where the contamination rates were (31.7%)and (29%), respectively. Lower rates of contamination in the Middle East were detected in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (16.2%) (Al-Megrin, 2010); and Burdur, Turkey (6.3%) (Adanir & Tasci, 2013).Higher contamination rates were detected in Bahir Dar City, Northwest Ethiopia(39.1%) (Alemu et al, 2020); Dire Dawa, Eastern Ethiopia (Endale, Tafa, Bekele, & Tesfaye, 2018); Arba Minch, Southern Ethiopia (54.4%) (Bekele et al, 2017); Kogi state, Nigeria (Omowaye & Audu, 2012); Jimma town, southwest Ethiopia (Tefera et al, 2014); and Jimma Town, Southwest Ethiopia (Tefera et al, 2014); Ghana (36%) (Amoah, Drechsel, Abaidoo, & Ntow, 2006); Jos, Nigeria (36%) (Damen et al, 2007); Tripoli, Libya (58%) (Abougrain, Nahaisi, Madi, Saied, & Ghenghesh, 2010); and Kisli, Kenya (75.9%) (Nyarango et al, 2008) (Nyarango, Aloo, Kabiru, & Nyanchongi, 2008; and the highest rate was detected in Khorramabad, Iran (79%) (Ezatpour, Chegeni, Abdollahpour, Aazami, & Alirezaei, 2013).…”

“…Also, it is in line with the work of(El Said Said, 2012) (Ahmed, Nur, Desale, & Zemat, 2018) (Bekele et al, 2017), who reported 20.8%, 12.5%, 20.3%, 56.31% for A. lumbricoides respectively in Egypt, Eritrea, Arba Minch, and Tarcha towns of Southern Ethiopia. The difference in the contamination rate of A. lumbricoides in these regions might be due to the effect of deworming programs targeting soil-transmitted helminths, improvements in WASH program activities, and health education by the health workers to avoid open defecation in the environment (Alemu et al, 2020). As found in this study, parasitic contamination of fruits and vegetables with hookworm species have been reported in Jos, Nigeria (Damen et al, 2007)(Theophilus Idahosa, 2011and Southwestern Saudi Arabia (Al-Binali et al, 2006).…”

“…Epidemiological studies have indicated that the number of reported cases of foodborne illnesses due to consumption of raw fruits and vegetables has been increasing and continues to be a common and serious threat to public health in endemic areas (Eraky, Rashed, Nasr, El-Hamshary, & Salah El-Ghannam, 2014). The use of human and animal excreta as a natural fertilizer and untreated wastewater for irrigation during cultivation are the main contributing factors in the pre-harvesting phase (Alemu, Nega, & Alemu, 2020). In developing countries, the majority of local farmers use untreated human or animal dung as fertilizer and polluted or untreated water for irrigation which contributes to increased transmission of intestinal parasites(Theophilus Idahosa, 2011).…”

Is Fresh Produce in Tigray, Ethiopia a Potential Transmission Vehicle for Cryptosporidium and Giardia?

“…Investigations of parasitic contamination of vegetables and fruits collected from local markets have been conducted in various towns in Ethiopia [5,[17][18][19][20][21][22]. All these studies used a washing procedure followed by microscopy (direct wet mount, iodine wet mount, and modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining) to identify parasitic contamination.…”