ABSTRACT

Some locally available fresh fruits and vegetables (banana, orange, mango, guava, water melon, onion, tomato, okra, spinach and cabbage) sold in Selected Market in Pankshin LGA, Plateau State was examined for parasitological contamination. The study sort responses from 129 respondents in respect to the specific objectives such as; to determine the  risk factors that favours parasitological contamination of fresh fruits and vegetables sold in Pankshin L.G.A, Plateau State and to identify possible ways of eliminating parasitological contamination of fruits and vegetables sold in market in Pankshin LG.A.  Four research questions and one hypothesis guided the study. Structured questionnaire with twenty (20) items from the four research questions was used as instrument of data collection and were analyzed using statistical mean and the hypothesis was testing at 0.05 level of significance using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The result revealed that, the risk factors that favour parasitological contamination of fresh fruits and vegetables sold can become contaminated but increasing use of waste water for irrigation cannot get fresh fruits and vegetables contaminated in Pankshin L.G.A Plateau state and that the possible ways of eliminating parasitological contamination of fruits and vegetables sold should be more during storage and transportation in Pankshin L.G.A. The study also reveals that point of contamination of fresh fruits and vegetables is less when raw water used during irrigation, sewages but other forms of liquid waste during cultivation is not a point of contamination of fresh fruits and vegetables. Also, bad hygienic practice during transport, processing and preparation by handlers including consumers contributes to fruits and vegetables contaminations of fresh fruits and vegetables sold in some selected markets in Pankshin L.G.A Plateau State. The study concludes that, the risk factors that favour parasitological contamination of fresh fruits and vegetables sold can become contaminated but is on the increase use of waste water for irrigation cannot get fresh fruits and vegetables contaminated in Pankshin L.G.A Plateau state. Also, the possible ways of eliminating parasitological contamination of fruits and vegetables sold should be more during storage and transportation as bad hygienic practice during transport, processing and preparation by handlers including consumers contributes to fruits and vegetables contaminations of fresh fruits and vegetables sold in some selected markets in Pankshin L.G.A Plateau State. The study recommends among others that, the government should create avenue were farmers will be sensitized on the way to handle vegetable before and after farming process so to  avoid any form of contamination on consumers.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY            –           –           –           –           1

1.2       STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM         –           –           –           –           5

1.3       PURPOSE OF THE STUDY          –           –           –           –           –           7

1.4       RESEARCH QUESTIONS –           –           –           –           –           –           7

1.5       RESEARCH HYPOTHESES         –           –           –           –           –           8

1.6       SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY            –           –           –           –           8

1.7       SCOPE OF THE STUDY    –           –           –           –           –           –           8

1.8       OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS       –           –           –           9

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.0       INTRODUCTION    –           –           –           –           –           –           –           25

3.1       STUDY AREA          –           –           –           –           –           –           –           25

3.2       RESEARCH DESIGN         –           –           –           –           –           –           26

3.3       POPULATION AND SAMPLE      –           –           –           –           –           27

3.3.1    Population      –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           27

3.3.2    Sample           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           27

3.4       SAMPLING TECHNIQUES          –           –           –           –           –           27

3.5       INSTRUMENT (S) FOR DATA COLLECTION –           –           –           28

3.5.1    Description of the Instrument         –           –           –           –           –           28

3.5.2    Procedure for Instrument Development     –           –           –           –           29

3.6       VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY OF INSTRUMENT   –           –           29

3.6.1    Validity          –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           29

3.6.2    Reliability      –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           30

3.7       PROCEDURE AND DATA COLLECTION        –           –           –           30

3.8       METHOD OF DATA ANALYSIS –           –           –           –           –           30

CHAPTER FOUR

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

4.1       PRESENTATION OF DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES-         –           32

4.3       ANALYSIS OF RESEARCH QUESTIONS          –           –           –           33

4.4       ANALYSIS OF RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS       –           –           –           38

4.5  DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS         –   –           –           –           –           –           39

CHAPTER FIVE

FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1       SUMMARY OF FINDINGS           –           –           –           –           –           41

•     CONCLUSION         –           –           –           –           –           –           –           42
• RECOMMENDATIONS –           –           –           –           –           –           42

REFERENCE     –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           43

APPENDIX         –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           48

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

In certain part of the world, fruits and vegetables are the major dietary staple. Apart from being a rich source of vitamins, protein, mineral, fibres and other nutrients, the production of fruits and vegetables also contributes significantly to regional and national economics through national and international trade.

Fruits and vegetables consumption has increased in Africa over the past decade and it represent valuable sources of nutrients rich in essential components important to man which they can be affected with parasites; thus attributed to the exposure of the health benefits of consuming these fruits and vegetables (Heaton and Jones, 2007).  There are studies that show that consumption of vegetables help prevent diseases and cancer (Kwabena et al., 2018). Vegetable and fruits consumption are responsible for providing protein, vitamins, mineral, fibres and other nutrients at rural environments which are not normally present in the daily diets (Mohammed and Sharif, 2011). While the importance and impact of these fruits and vegetables cannot be disputed, they still represent a major risk to the health of the consumers. Diseases transmitted through consumption of food and drinks is still globally prominent and fruits and vegetables, especially fruits and vegetables consumed raw and not properly washed are part of the major contributors to this trend (Ajayi et al., 2016).

Fruits and vegetables can act as vehicles for the transmission of parasitic and microbial infection when contaminated (Beauchat, 2002). The evidence of intestinal parasites on some fruits and vegetables most likely denotes the planting and harvesting practices employed, post-harvesting techniques and even storage and preservation practices. Some enteropathogens like Salmonella and Escherichia coli O157:H7 normally present in vegetables such as lettuce, spinach and tomatoes (Lihua et al., 2008).

The nutritional and economic values of edible fruits and vegetables are very much recognized among the human populations. However, significant prevalence of diseases resulting directly from consumption of parasitological contaminated fruits and vegetables make it alarming, worrisome and a scientific cause of concern. Indigenous fruits and vegetables are known to play major role in the nutritional livelihood of Nigerians, especially in the rural areas and cities where there is poor socio-economic condition (Adeboye and Adedayo, 2008). Consumption of raw or unhygienically prepared vegetable is considered a risk factor for human parasitic infection (Orlandi, et al., 2002). Some vegetables and most fruits are eaten raw to retain the natural taste and preserve heat labile nutrients but laboratory and epidemiological surveys have implicated this unhygienic practice as well as poor human sanitation as a major risk in the transmission of the parasitic diseases. It has also reported that in certain parts of Nigeria, the consumption of raw vegetable without proper washing is an important route in the transmission of parasitic diseases (Uneke, 2004). In Pankshin LGA of Plateau State, of Northcentral Nigeria, and its environs, fresh but raw fruit and vegetables are widely consumed, making it a major route/ mode of transmission of intestinal parasites and spread of high burdened foodborne diseases of great public health importance.  Various other factors contribute to increase in diseases associated with raw fruits and vegetables and intensification of the risk. They into new geographical areas through import, use of untreated waste and manure as fertilizer for crop production, irrigation with contaminated water and various agronomic practices and level of hygiene of food handlers. Continued use of untreated waste water and manure as fertilizer and food handling are major contributing factors to contamination that cause numerous food-borne disease outbreaks.

Fruits and vegetables are contaminated with parasites and, some parasitic infections which have direct life cycle and do not need an intermediate host to infect a new host are spread via these faecal-orally transmitted parasites. Infections acquired through direct ingestion of infective egg or cyst is ultimately linked with level of hygiene and sanitation in the community. Factors like lack of latrine, improper hand washing during prayers and other religious activities/practices, and adequate sewage disposal facilities have been known to contribute to the spread of the infective stages of the parasites as well, thereby bringing about a wide spread contamination of foods. Most times, infections can be acquired through preventable attitude of keeping contaminated unwashed fingers by food handlers and vendors, insects, circulation of currency and by wind during dry season. The resistance capacity of the eggs and cysts of these parasites has been identified as a feature of profound influence on its epidemiology. It is now known that eggs of Ascaris can remain viable for up to six years (Eneanya and Njom, 2008).

Protozoan parasites and intestinal helminthes including geohelminthes/soil transmitted helminthes (a group of nematode) are among the most common infectious agent implicated in this contamination worldwide and particularly in developing countries in recent times (Pozio, 2008). Such specific parasites include Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia duodenale, Trichuris trichura, Ascaris lumbricoides and Enterobius vermicularis (WHO, 2008).

Significant and alarming rates of diseases resulting from parasitological contamination of fruits and vegetables have been reported as well. Studies have shown that high prevalence of parasitic contamination of fruits and vegetables are most common in the tropics and sub-tropics. Geohelminthic infections are most prevalent in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the developing world, where adequate water and sanitation are lacking (Okoronkwo, 2008). Recent estimate suggests that Ascaris lumbriodes infects over one billion people, Trichuris trichura infects 79 million and hookworm (Ancyclostoma duodenale and Necator americanus) infects 740 million people (WHO, 2008).

Epidemiological studies have revealed that in the Southwestern part of Nigeria, the practice of using untreated wastewater for irrigation of farm produce and consumption of such water irrigated fruits and vegetables when unwashed and not properly cooked may lead to severe parasitic infections.  The safety of these fruits and vegetables in Nigeria raises serious concerns because there are no rules or laws that govern and enforce strict sanitation conditions and practices in harvesting, processing, handling and packaging of these products.

Mcgee (2004) asserts that fruits and vegetables are contaminated with parasites and some parasite infections which have direct life cycle and do not need an intermediate host to infect a new host are via feacal-orally transmitted parasites. Infections acquired through direct ingestion of infective egg or cyst is intimately linked with level of personal hygiene and sanitation in the community. Factors like the lack of latrine and adequate sewage disposal facilities have been known to contribute to the spread of the infective states of the parasites thereby bringing about a wide spread contamination of foods. Infection can be acquired through contaminated unwashed fingers, insects, circulation of currency and by wind during dry season. Contamination of fruits and vegetables with eggs and cyst especially those hawked by fruit and vegetable vendors may also serve as a source of infection to consumers of such fruits and vegetables items. These parasites includes: Entamoeba histolystica, Giardia duodenalis, Trichuris trichura, Ascaris lumbricoides and Enterobius vermicularis (WHO, 2000).

The evaluation of these medically important parasites found in fruits and vegetables will depend on the knowledge of the factors contributing to the spread of such parasites including the activities of fruit and vegetable vendors at some selected market in Pankshin, Plateau state and then affect on the distribution of these parasites.

1.2       STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This research work is a parasitological examination of fresh fruits and vegetables sold in some selected market in Pankshin, Plateau State. Despite fruits and vegetables being very important in human consumption especially health wise, they still suffer attacks from different species of parasites. This is as a result of unawareness by the irrigation farmers to take note of the irrigation water sources they uses.  Irrigation water is achieved by different sources like lake, stream, river, ponds etc. which may be polluted with animal and human feaces. Due to high number of eggs, cyst and larvae of human intestinal parasites present in the waste water, the use of excreta polluted water is a health risk to both the farmers and the consumers that eat the produce raw and fresh, like cabbage, lettuce, apples, guava, pear and mango (Scolf, 1992). These of course call for the irrigation farmers and those that vendors into vegetables and fruits production to take note of such parasites in order to produce a parasite-free edible fruits and vegetables for the consumption of human beings. Parasites that affect fruits need to be controlled in a proper process in order not to affect those that are of medially important.

The major way of selecting the appropriate intervention to reduce population to pathogenic microorganism on fruits is to identify sources of contamination and ecology of the pathogens as it is affected by processing practices. Taking into heart the conditions of these fruits and vegetables, how they are handled and sold, it comes as no surprise that the safety of these food products could cause deleterious effects and thus not meeting health standard (Mcgee, 2004).

Epidemiological studies have revealed that in the Southwestern part of Nigeria, the practice of using untreated wastewater for irrigation of farm produce and consumption of such water irrigated fruits and vegetables when unwashed and not properly cooked may lead to severe parasitic infections. The safety of these vegetables in Nigeria raises serious concerns because there are no rules or laws that govern and enforce strict sanitation conditions and practices in harvesting, processing, handling and packaging of these vegetables. Considerably, ones needs to take into heart the conditions of these fruits and vegetables, how they are handled and sold, it comes as no surprise that the safety of these fruits and vegetables could cause deleterious effects and thus not meeting health standard (WHO, 2000).

According to Blumenthal, (2000) fruits and vegetables are major sources of vitamins and minerals which help in promoting good health but could also constitute risk to human health when consumed unclean and so the evaluation of these medically important parasites found in fruits and vegetables will depend on the knowledge of the factors contributing to the spread of such parasites including the activities of fruit vendors at Pankshin market and the effect on the distribution of these parasites. Hence this study aims to detect the existence of parasites present in fresh marketed fruits and vegetables sold at some selected market in Pankshin, Plateau State. It also aims to investigate the parasite contamination present from marketed fruits and vegetables.

1.3       PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The main aim of this study is to carryout parasitological examination of fresh fruits and vegetables sold in some selected market in Pankshin LGA, Plateau State. Specifically, the study seeks to:

1. To determine the parasite of medical importance in fruits and vegetables sold in some selected market in Pankshin L.G.A, Plateau State
2. To determine the risk factors that favours parasitological contamination of fresh fruits and vegetables sold in Pankshin L.G.A, Plateau State.
3. To identify possible ways of eliminating parasitological contamination of fruits and vegetables sold in market in Pankshin LG.A.
4. To determine the point of contamination of fresh fruits and vegetables sold in some selected market in Pankshin LGA, Plateau State.

1.4       RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following research questions guided the conduct of this study;

1. What are the parasite of medical importance found in fruits and vegetables sold in some selected market in Pankshin LGA, Plateau State?
2. What are the risk factors that favour parasitological contamination of fresh fruits and vegetables sold in Pankshin L.G.A, Plateau State?
3. What are the possible ways of eliminating parasitological contamination of fruits and vegetables sold in market in Pankshin L.G.A?
4. What is the point of contamination of fresh fruits and vegetables sold in some selected market in Pankshin LGA, Plateau State?

1.5       RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

Ho: There is no significant effect of fruits and vegetables wash with untreated water and those wash with treated water in terms of parasites elimination

Ha: There is a significant effect of fruits and vegetables wash with untreated water and those wash with treated water in terms of parasites elimination

1.6       SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

            This study will be of immense importance to irrigation farmers and those vendors of fresh fruits and vegetables in terms of their activities such as proper treating of water to be used in washing and treating the products to eliminate parasite contamination. The study will be of benefits to health practitioners by exposing and initiating them to know that there is a need in supervising those fresh fruits and vegetables sold in the markets to promote healthy consumption by the masses in order to avoid contamination with parasitic diseases.  The study will also initiate the health practitioners to effectively create awareness to human beings of the need to wash and treat fruits and vegetables before consumption.

1.7       SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The researcher has limited the study to parasitological examination of fresh fruits and vegetables sold in some selected market in Pankshin LGA, Plateau State.

            Due to financial constraint, the researcher is unable to go round and collect more materials or to obtain information from all the market in Pankshin LGA of Plateau State. Also the researcher being students is involved in other academic endeavours and hereby left with limited time to go round in the study area. These factors therefore, delimit the research work to only some selected market in Pankshin LGA where fresh fruits and vegetables are been sold.

1.8       OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS

Terms that are related to the study are defined below in order to remove somatic ambiguity in their usage.

Parasites:  Parasites are organisms which have adapted themselves in or on another organism which is called a host, and lives at the expenses of the tissue and fluid of the host deriving their nutrient and protection from the host, thereby harming or being of no advantage to the host.

Parasitology: It is a branch of Biology that study parasites, their hosts, and the relationship between them.

Parasitological Examination:  It refers to laboratory tests of protozoa and various parasites that may cause diseases in the body and provision of suggestions and treatment for patients.

Fresh fruits and vegetables: Fresh fruits and fresh vegetables include all produce in fresh form generally considered as perishable fruits and vegetables, whether or not packed in ice or held in common or cold storage, but does not include those perishable fruits and vegetables which have been manufactured into articles of food of a different kind or character. In this study, they refer to those samples to be collected for parasitological examination.

Market:  It refers to a place where buyers and sellers can meet to facilitate the exchange or transaction of goods and services.