@article{CRSIJ26000315,
                  author = {Nwadike, C. C, Nweke, E. I., Ogbuefi, E. O., Okpani, S. I, Okeke, O. A., Olisa, C. S., Ikpeama, R. A.},
                  title = {Prevalence and Distribution of Intestinal Parasites in Edible Vegetables Sold in Selected Markets in Anambra State, Southeast Nigeria},
                  journal = {Cosmo Research and Science International Journal},
                  year = {2025},
                  volume = {2},
                  number = {1},
                  pages = {641-649},
                  issn = {3108-1584},
                  url = {https://cosmorsij.com/published/CRSIJ26000315.pdf},
                  abstract = {Vegetables are essential to human nutrition, but in many developing countries, they represent a source of parasitic infection.  This risk is heightened by the common use of untreated wastewater for irrigation and the frequent consumption of raw or undercooked vegetables. Despite growing public health concerns, there is paucity of evidence on parasitic contamination of raw vegetables sold in Awkuzu and Nteje markets in Anambra State, Nigeria. A total of 240 vegetables were collected from 24 vendors in the 2 markets and each vegetable was first washed with normal saline, and the normal saline solution used centrifuged. The sediment was examined microscopically for infective stages of parasites. Chi-square test was used to determine association between variables at p<0.05.  The results showed that 35.4% of all vegetable samples were contaminated. Parasites found include Ascaris lumbricoides, Taenia spp Balantidium coli, Coccidia spp. and Toxocara spp. Ascaris lumbricoides had the highest infection prevalence (30%), Taenia spp. had the second highest infection rate 2.5%. among vegetables, of the 7 types of vegetable examined, Amaranthus cruentus was the most contaminated (60%) and Piper guanines was the least contaminated (13.3%). There was significant association between vegetable type and parasitic contamination (p>0.05). There was no significant difference in contamination between vegetables sold in Nteje market (35.7%) and then those sold in Awkuzu (30.0%). The study showed moderate prevalence and variation in parasite distribution across vegetables types. The findings echo the need for improved agricultural water, sanitation and hygiene practices and behaviour change communication to reduce contamination risks.},
                  keywords = {Parasitic contamination, raw vegetables, Public health, Ascaris lumbricoides, Prevalence, Awkuzu and Nteje markets, Anambra State, Nigeria, Wastewater irrigation, Food safety},
                  month = {July}
        }