Alemu Getaneh, Nega Mezgebu, Alemu Megbaru
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
Department of Medical Parasitology, Felegehiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
Res Rep Trop Med. 2020 Mar 25;11:17-25. doi: 10.2147/RRTM.S244737. eCollection 2020.
Fruits and vegetables, which are consumed raw, act as potential sources for the spread of various parasitic diseases. The rate of contamination and species of contaminant parasites varies based on climatic, ecological, and human factors. Therefore, local data about the contamination status and predisposing factors augments efforts for successful control of parasitic diseases.
A cross-sectional study was conducted on fruits and vegetables collected from local markets of Bahir Dar city from February to May 2019. A total of 384 samples were purchased from three randomly selected markets. Data on sociodemographic characteristics of vendors and factors associated with contamination of fruits and vegetables were collected using a structured questionnaire. About 200 g of fruit and vegetable samples were processed for parasites using direct wet mount and modified Zeihl-Neelson staining techniques following standard protocols. All data were analyzed using SPSS version 23.
Among a total of 384 fruit and vegetable samples purchased from 112 vendors, 150 (39.1%) were contaminated with at least one species of parasite. Lettuce (56.4%) and mango (16.7%) were the most and the least commonly contaminated items respectively. Larva of species (13.5%) was the most frequently detected parasite followed by cysts of (12.8%). Contamination was more common in vegetables than fruits (AOR=2.968, <0.001). Fruits and vegetables purchased from vendors with untrimmed fingernails (AOR=1.966, =0.006), directly delivered from farmers (AOR=1.883, =0.040), displayed in bucket with water (AOR=2.676, =0.017) and those displayed without washing (AOR=5.511, <0.001) were significantly associated with parasitic contamination.
The level of parasitic contamination of fruits and vegetables in Bahir Dar city is of public health importance. Hence, the public health sector should create public awareness in order to reduce parasitic transmission via fruits and vegetables.
生食的水果和蔬菜是多种寄生虫病传播的潜在源头。污染率和污染寄生虫的种类因气候、生态和人为因素而异。因此，关于污染状况和诱发因素的本地数据有助于成功控制寄生虫病。
2019年2月至5月，对从巴赫达尔市当地市场采集的水果和蔬菜进行了一项横断面研究。从三个随机选择的市场共购买了384份样本。使用结构化问卷收集了摊贩的社会人口学特征以及与水果和蔬菜污染相关的因素的数据。按照标准方案，采用直接湿片法和改良齐-尼氏染色技术对约200克水果和蔬菜样本进行寄生虫检测。所有数据均使用SPSS 23版进行分析。
在从112名摊贩处购买的384份水果和蔬菜样本中，150份（39.1%）至少被一种寄生虫污染。生菜（56.4%）和芒果（16.7%）分别是污染最严重和最不严重的品种。 物种的幼虫（13.5%）是最常检测到的寄生虫，其次是 的囊肿（12.8%）。蔬菜中的污染比水果更常见（比值比=2.968，<0.001）。从指甲未修剪的摊贩处购买的水果和蔬菜（比值比=1.966，=0.006）、直接从农民处运来的（比值比=1.883，=0.040）、放在有水的桶里展示的（比值比=2.676，=0.017）以及未清洗就展示的（比值比=5.511，<0.001）与寄生虫污染显著相关。
巴赫达尔市水果和蔬菜的寄生虫污染水平具有公共卫生重要性。因此，公共卫生部门应提高公众意识，以减少通过水果和蔬菜传播的寄生虫。
