Prevalence of soil-transmitted helminthes in vegetables sold in Bali markets, Taraba State, Nigeria

In Nigeria, leafy vegetables form essential part of dietary foods especially in the South-eastern part. This is because of enormous supplements derived from them that affect human health positively. These benefits derived were however reduced drastically by incidence of soil-transmitted helminthes associated ailments in humans who consumed these vegetables on daily basis. This present study was carried out to determine the prevalence of soil transmitted helminthes in vegetables sold in Bali markets. Parasitological investigation of vegetables for parasitic stages of soil transmitted helminthes was conducted using centrifugation and microscopical methods. Out of nine vegetable samples examined 55.55% were positive for helminthes eggs contamination, 4.55% in bitter leaf and hibiscus leaves, 22.73% in moringa leaves, 54.55% in okra leaves and 13.64% in clove basil. Two larvae were found in bitter leaf and three larvae were also found in pumpkin or marrow leaves. Most of the helminthes detected in the vegetables were Ascaris lumbricoides and Ancylostoma duodenale while Necator americanus were low in prevalence. No parasites were detected in samples collected from leaves of spiny amaranth and black Beniseed. The results showed that highest prevalence rate was found in okra leaves while the lowest was bitter leaf and hibiscus leaves. The distribution of these helminthes in these leafy vegetables were responsible for the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminthes associated ailments in Bali. Finally, vegetables should be properly washed with salt to deter predisposing factor for infection of soil-transmitted helminthes