Journal of Tropical Diseases & Public Health

Abstract

Fruits Consumption Pattern and its Implication on Parasite Transmission in Yenagoa Metropolis, Nigeria

Ebenezer Amawulu, Aladei Sampson and Awiya I Henry

The identification of the source of contamination and the knowledge of the fruit-eating habits among the human population are basic prerequisite for estimating the implication of foodborne diseases. This study was undertaken to assess the fruits consumption habit and its implications on parasite transmission in Yenagoa metropolis during July- September, 2017. Descriptive study design was adopted to determine the fruit consumption pattern among 50 individuals who were presented at randomly selected fruit vendors in Yenagoa metropolis. A total of 400 fruits were bought randomly from ten fruit vendors and transported immediately to the Microbiology Laboratory, Niger Delta University, Amassoma for microscopic analysis. The experimental procedures and identification of parasites followed standard techniques. Parasites were identified microscopically using 10X and 40X objectives. One hundred percent of the total respondents accepted that they are used to eating fruits. Apple accounted for (36%) of the most preferred fruit consumed. The percentages of people, who always wash their fruits before eating, wash fruits with water and salt before eating and those who do not wash their fruits before eating are 52%, 18% and 30% respectively. Out of the forty fruits examined for parasites infestation from among Carrot, Tomato, Garden egg and Pepper, 8(20%) were infested with parasites. Five (5) species of parasites were recovered from the fruits. The fruits in the order of parasites infestation are a carrot (51.22%), Tomato (36.6%), Garden egg (17.1%), pepper (0.0%). The differences were not significant (χ2=0.0148; df=3 P>0.05). Parasites in the order of occurrence are Entamoeba histolytica (58.5%), Ancyclostoma duodenale 4(14.6%), Ascaris lumbricoides7(17.1%) Trichuris trichura 5(12.2%) and Strongyloides stercoralis (2.44%) The differences were significant (χ2=0.0148; df=3 P<0.05).