Pages: (91-97 )
Abstract
The aim of this study was to carry out a survey of profile of parasitic contamination on samples of Lettuce, cabbage, carrot and cucumber sourced from a total of 8 sampling points (4 each in Ilishan and Babcock University). The collected samples were processed by sedimentation and floatation, and microscopic examination was carried out for the presence of parasites on the vegetables. All vegetables were highly contaminated with parasites. Entamoeba histolytica (90.9- 100%) and hookworm (5-5.6%) were the most and least prevalent parasites respectively. No vegetable examined in Babcock University was contaminated with Ascaris lumbricoides. The parasite contamination level of carrot (33.7%) sampled from Babcock super market was not significantly higher than that of cabbage (29.1%) sampled
from Ilishan community market (P>0.05). These results demonstrate that one of the important routes of parasitic infection in man is through consumption of raw and unwashed vegetables. Therefore, educational enlightenment programs are recommended to sensitize consumers of these vegetable regarding proper personal hygiene.
Keywords: Parasitic infections, vegetables, contamination, personal hygiene.,