1.1 Introduction
Fruits are contaminated with parasites and some parasitic infections which have direct life cycle and do not need an intermediate host to infect a new host are spread via these faecal orally transmitted parasites. Infections acquired through direct ingestion of infective egg or cyst is ultimately linked with level of hygiene and sanitation in the community. A fruit is a ripened ovary together with seeds of a flowering plant. Fruits are the means through which flowering plants disseminate seeds (Lewis, 2002). In cuisine when food items are called “fruits” the term is most often used for those plants fruits that are edible, sweet, and fresh examples are: apples, and oranges.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
The nutritional and economic values of edible fruits are very much recognized among the human populations. However, significant prevalence of diseases resulting directly from consumption of parasitological contaminated fruits make it alarming, worrisome and a scientific cause of concern. Indigenous fruits are known to play major role in the nutritional livelihood of Nigerians, especially in the rural areas and cities where there is poor socio-economic condition (Adeboye et al., 2008). Consumption of raw or unhygienically prepared vegetable is considered a risk factor for human parasitic infection (Orlandi et al., 2002).
Among horticultural crops, fruits are of great importance for an adequate and balance human diet. In certain part of the world, fruits are the major dietary staple. Apart from being a rich source of vitamins, and minerals, the production of fruits also contributes significantly to regional and national economics through national and international trade. The term fruit has many different meaning depending on the context. Some fruits are eaten raw to retain the natural taste and preserve heat labile nutrients but laboratory and epidemiological surveys have implicated this unhygienic practice as well as poor human sanitation as a major risk in the transmission of the parasitic diseases. It has also reported that in certain parts of Nigeria, the consumption of raw vegetable without proper washing is an important route in the transmission of parasitic diseases (Uneke et al., 2004).
Various other factors contribute to increase in diseases associated with raw fruits and intensification of the risk. They include globalization of food supply, introduction of pathogens into new geographical areas through import, use of untreated waste and manure as fertilizer for crop production, irrigation with contaminated water and various agronomic practices and level of hygiene of food handlers. Continued use of untreated waste water and manure as fertilizer and food handling are major contributing factors to contamination that cause numerous food-borne disease outbreaks.
Fruit reduces the risk of neural tube defects, spina bifida and anecephaly during fetal development (Ayer, 2001). Fruits are very important in human consumption especially health wise. Parasites that affect fruits need to be controlled in a proper process in order not to affect those that are of medially important. The major way of selecting the appropriate intervention stops to reduce population to pathogenic microorganism on fruits is to identify sources of contamination and ecology of the pathogens as it is affected by processing practices. Organism like; Samonella, cryptosproridium, cyclospora, Giardia, are among the disease causing organisms that have been transferred via fresh fruits (Sushow, 1997).The use of disinfectant like chlorine, in wash water can also help to prevent both host harvest disease and food borne illnesses.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to examine the Parasites in Some Ready to eat fruit solid in Owerri, Imo State
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that a lot of people are concerned these days about the presence of parasites of medical importance in fresh fruits. According to the numerous studies nearly 85% Americans have parasites in their body (WHO, 1990). Intestinal parasitic helminthes and protozoa infections are among the most common infections world-wide. In spite of the fact that the mortality rate among these infections is rather low in the case of Ascaris lumbricoides two per 1,000,000 people due to the high prevalence, these infections are regarded as a serious public health problem.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to examine the Parasites in Some Ready to eat fruit solid in Owerri, Imo State. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To determine the parasite of medical importance in fruit sold at Douglas market in Imo State.
- To determine whether washing of fruits with untreated water eliminates the parasites of medical importance (pathogenic parasites) from them.
- To determine whether fruits are safe to be eaten by human beings without washing them.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Are fruits safe to be eaten by human beings without washing them?
- Is there parasite of medical importance in fruit sold at Douglas market in Imo State?
- Does washing of fruits with untreated water eliminate the parasites of medical importance (pathogenic parasites) from them?
1.6 Significance of Study
This study will be of immense benefit to researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.7 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the Parasitological Examination of Some Ready to Eat Fruits Sold in Owerri, Imo State.
1.8 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).
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