Abstract
Although fresh vegetables are considered as essential part of our diet, raw vegetables consumption represent the main route of transmission for intestinal parasites. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of vegetable contamination in Taif city. Specifically, there was a need to determine the types of parasites contaminating the vegetables obtained from the hypermarkets, mini markets, farms and street vendors. A total of 200 vegetables samples were collected from hypermarkets, mini markets, farms, and street vendors. Samples were examined for the presence of parasites.The study was conducted from January 2019 to March 2019. A total of 200 samples of vegetables were examined. The sample wash was taken from sedimentation concentrations and examined microscopically.Parasites were observed in 82 samples (41%). Ascaris lumbricoides were found most in 17 samples (20.7%), followed by Giardia lambliaat cyst 17.1%, and Entamoeba coli cyst at 14.6%. The parasite with the lowest frequency were Taenia sp. at 6.1% and Hymenolepis sp. at 3.7%.. There was a significant correlation between the source of vegetables and parasite contamination (chi(2) =22.23, P =.0001). The types of vegetables were also significantly positively associated (chi(2) =35.23, P = 0.0012) with parasite contamination. Thus, though parasitic infections are not common in Taif city, raw and unclean vegetables can still cause disease by spreading and transmitting intestinal parasites. Consumers and vendors should take extra care to ensure the consumption of parasite-free vegetables. Extensive health education should be provided to ensure that farmers, vendors, and consumers of edible vegetables are educated on minimizing the contamination of parasites on vegetables.