Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites in Vegetable Samples from Retail Markets in Abeokuta, Ogun State

Consumption of raw vegetables contaminated with intestinal parasites represents a significant route of helminth and protozoan transmission in Nigerian urban populations, where wastewater irrigation of market gardens is common. This study determines the prevalence of intestinal parasites in vegetable samples purchased from five retail markets in Abeokuta, Ogun State, South West Nigeria. Six vegetable types including lettuce, cabbage, tomatoes, carrots, ugu (fluted pumpkin), and waterleaf were sampled, yielding 90 samples in total. Parasitic contamination was assessed using the standard washing-sedimentation-flotation technique, with microscopic examination of concentrated sediments. At least one parasite ova, cyst, or larva was detected in 67.8 percent of all samples examined. Ascaris lumbricoides ova were the most prevalent finding (41 percent), followed by Entamoeba histolytica cysts (28 percent), Trichuris trichiura ova (19 percent), and hookworm larvae (12 percent). Lettuce had the highest overall contamination rate (82 percent), attributed to its broad leaf surface and ground-level growth habit. Contamination was significantly associated with irrigation using canal water rather than borehole supply. The study recommends consumer vegetable decontamination practices including vinegar or salt soaking, farmer education on safe irrigation water sources, and periodic parasitological market surveillance by the Ogun State Ministry of Health. Keywords: intestinal parasites, vegetables, Ascaris, Abeokuta, food contamination