Soil-Transmitted Helminth Contamination of Fresh Fruits and Associated Foodborne Health Risks in Southwestern Nigeria Evidence from Ifelodun Local Government Area, Osun State, Nigeria

Moses Oluwaseun Abiodun; MaryJude Chiamaka Igbodika; Taofik Olatunji Bankole; Callistus Adewale Akinleye; Samuel Adeyinka Adedokun; Anaebonam Emeka Christopher; Abosede Abolaji Olorunnisola

doi:10.58709/niujhs.v12i1.2739

Moses Oluwaseun Abiodun Department of Public Health, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Osun State University Osogbo, Nigeria
MaryJude Chiamaka Igbodika Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Anambra State, Nigeria
Taofik Olatunji Bankole Department of Public Health, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Osun State University Osogbo, Nigeria
Callistus Adewale Akinleye Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Osun State University Osogbo, Nigeria
Samuel Adeyinka Adedokun Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences Osun state University Osogbo, Nigeria
Anaebonam Emeka Christopher Department of Public Health, Tansian University, Umunya, Anambra State, Nigeria
Abosede Abolaji Olorunnisola Department of Public Health, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Osun State University Osogbo, Nigeria

DOI: https://doi.org/10.58709/niujhs.v12i1.2739

Abstract

Background: Fruits are an important source of essential nutrients and contribute significantly to a healthy diet, however contamination with intestinal parasitic geo helminthes can occur through the use of untreated human and animal faces as organic fertilizers, poor sanitation, and improper handling during harvesting, transportation, and marketing, posing a public health risk.

Aim: To evaluate the occurrence of intestinal parasitic geo helminthes contamination of fruits sold in selected market within Ifelodun Local Government Areas, Osun in state, Nigeria.

Method: This study is a cross-sectional study using 300 fruit samples comprising 10 commonly consumed fruit type randomly collected from Oja Oba, Monday, and Alamisi markets. Samples were transported in sterilized polythene bags to the Public Health Laboratory, Osun State University, for analysis. Sedimentation and flotation techniques were employed to detect helminthes ova and egg, which were examined microscopically using x10 and x40 objective lens. Data analysis was carried least squares analysis of variance in SPSS version 20.0 with statistical significant level of P< 0.05.

Result: Helminthes contamination rate were 20%, 17% and 15% in Oja-Oba, Monday and Alamisi markets, respectively. Ascaris lumbricoides had highest prevalence (28%), followed by Teania solum(8%), Tricuris trichuras(7%), Hookworm(5%) and Enterobius vermicularis(4%), while strongyloides stercoralis was not detected. Difference in contamination among the three markets were not significant statistically at (P>0. 05). Variations in contamination were associated with fruit surface texture and handling conditions.

Conclusion: Fresh fruits sold in Ifelodun local Government Area are contaminated with intestinal geo-helminthes, representing a potential public health concern. Improved market sanitation, safe fruit handling practice, and public education on proper washing of fruits before consumption are recommended to reduce the risk of helminthes transmission.

Keywords: Geo-helminthes, Ifelodun, Enterobius vermicularis, Ascaris lumbricoides, Ascaris lumbricoides.