THE PREVELENCE OF PARASITES IN COMMON VEGETABLES SOLD IN MARIAN MARKET

Vegetables are essential part of human healthy diet and are rich in vitamins. However, consumption of raw vegetables has been associated with transmission of parasites. This study investigated the incidence of parasites on three commonly consumed raw vegetables in Calabar, Nigeria. A total of 900 samples of the three different types of raw vegetables (cucumber, water leaf and pumpkin) were purchased from two markets in Calabar (Marian market, Watt market) and analyzed for the presence of helminthes and protozoan parasites using concentration method. Out of the 900 samples examined, 351 (39.00 %) were found to be contaminated with various stages of parasites such as ova, cysts, eggs or a complete developed parasite. Highest rate of parasitic contamination was detected in Water leaf (42.50 %), followed by Pumpkin (41.00 %), cucumber (34.00 %). having the least contamination. Among the sampled markets Watt market (40.00%), recorded the highest prevalence while Marian market (38.00%). had the lowest. in that order Findings from this study show that a considerably number of commonly consumed raw vegetables in Calabar are contaminated with a wide variety of parasites, indicating a major health risk to consumers. As such public enlightenment campaigns on the danger of consuming inadequately washed and raw vegetables should be carried out by local health authorities.