Intestinal Parasite Contamination of Raw Vegetables From Selected Farms and Markets in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Date
2011-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Raw vegetables can be agents of transmission of intestinal parasites. This study aimed to determine
the prevalence of parasite contamination of selected raw vegetables (lettuce, cabbage, tomato and
carrot) from farms and sold in major Addis Ababa markets. Sampling locations (Kaliti, Kera,
Peackok, Goffa) were selected based on their accessibility. Merkato and Atikelt tera represented the
vegetable markets. Out of 384 vegetable samples examined, 148(38.5%) were contaminated with
parasite eggs and /or cysts. The parasites detected were Ascaris lumbricoides (20.3%),
Cryptosporidium spp (8.6%), Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (7.6%), hookworm species (6.8%),
Giardia lamblia (5.5%), Enterobius vermicularis (4.2%), Trichuris trichiura (1.3%) and Taenia spp
(1.0%). Overall, the highest parasite contamination was detected in lettuce (58.3%), followed by
cabbage (37.5%), tomato (33.3%) and carrot (25%). Lettuce from the farms were more contaminated
(64.1%) than those from markets (46.9%) and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).
The relatively higher parasite contamination of lettuce and cabbage may be attributed to their larger
leafy surface areas. The wastewater used for irrigation was also contaminated with pathogenic
parasites, which is an indication of the source of contamination for vegetables grown in Addis
Ababa. Similarly, vegetables, whose irrigation status is not known, and sold in the markets, were also
contaminated. In either case, the routine practice of freshening vegetables at the markets, by
splashing with water that may have been contaminated with parasites could be an additional source
of contamination. This study showed the high potential for human infection with parasites through
consumption of raw vegetables from farms and markets in Addis Ababa. Therefore, there is an acute
need for environmental health education and institution of sanitary standards for wastewater disposal
and use in Addis Ababa. Furthermore, given the fact that urban vegetable farming makes use of
polluted rivers for irrigation, national guidelines on disinfecting raw vegetables for human
consumption must also be provided.
Key words: vegetables, parasites, contamination, irrigation, wastewater, Addis Ababa
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Keywords
vegetables, parasites, ontamination, irrigation, wastewater