GEOHELMINTHS CONTAMINATION OF FRUITS AND VEGTABLES SOLD AT SELECTED MARKETS WITHIN BAUCHI METROPOLIS

ABSTRACT Fruits and vegetables contamination with geohelminths eggs and larvae occur when the produce come in contact with contaminated soil, water or during post-harvest handling of the produce. This study is aimed at isolating the geohelminths that transmit intestinal parasitic infection to human from vegetable and fruits vendors in some selected markets in Bauchi (Yelwa market, Gwallameji market, Wunti market, Muda lawal and Bayara market). The selected fruits were Pawpaw, Watermelon, Orange and Sweet melon while the selected vegetables were Lettuce, Spinach, Sorrel and Garden egg. 100 fruits samples were collected and 50 vegetables for six weeks. Vegetable with highest geohelminths was Lettuces (8) while Fruits was Sweet melon (24) and the vegetable with lowest geohelminths was Sorrel (5) and the fruits with lowest geohelminths was pawpaw (3). The importance of washing raw fruits and vegetables properly before consumption. Prevention of contamination at all points of the food chain, from production to the final consumption, could be achieved through effective health education programme, and the composting of human night soil and animal dung before use as manure.