Strongyloides stercoralis contamination and risk factors in market vegetables: hidden dangers of communities living under poverty plate
Abstract Background Strongyloidiasis, caused by Strongyloides stercoralis (S. stercoralis) spreads through environmental contamination and poor food safety, posing high risks in especially in tropical regions. However, limited research exists on the contamination and transmission pathways in local m...
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2025-08-01
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| Series: | Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-025-00893-4 |
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| author | Chalachew Yenew Almaw Genet Yeshiwas Gashaw Melkie Bayeh Tilahun Degu Tsega Sintayehu Simie Tsega Asaye Alamneh Gebeyehu Getaneh Atikilt Yemata Rahel Mulatie Anteneh Amare Genetu Ejigu Ahmed Fentaw Ahmed Zeamanuel Anteneh Yigzaw Abathun Temesgen Abebaw Molla Kebede Habitamu Mekonen Anley Shiferaw Enawgaw Getasew Yirdaw Berhanu Abebaw Mekonnen Meron Asmamaw Alemayehu Zufan Alamrie Asmare Addis Mekonnen Mengistu Damitie |
| author_facet | Chalachew Yenew Almaw Genet Yeshiwas Gashaw Melkie Bayeh Tilahun Degu Tsega Sintayehu Simie Tsega Asaye Alamneh Gebeyehu Getaneh Atikilt Yemata Rahel Mulatie Anteneh Amare Genetu Ejigu Ahmed Fentaw Ahmed Zeamanuel Anteneh Yigzaw Abathun Temesgen Abebaw Molla Kebede Habitamu Mekonen Anley Shiferaw Enawgaw Getasew Yirdaw Berhanu Abebaw Mekonnen Meron Asmamaw Alemayehu Zufan Alamrie Asmare Addis Mekonnen Mengistu Damitie |
| author_sort | Chalachew Yenew |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Strongyloidiasis, caused by Strongyloides stercoralis (S. stercoralis) spreads through environmental contamination and poor food safety, posing high risks in especially in tropical regions. However, limited research exists on the contamination and transmission pathways in local markets. This study evaluated S. stercoralis exposure, the likelihood of occurrence of risk, and associated risk factors in vegetables to enhance food safety. Methods A cross-sectional study that involved both field and laboratory investigations was conducted in Debre Tabor City, Ethiopia, analyzing S. stercoralis contamination in 360 randomly selected vegetable samples collected from five randomly selected markets. Standard parasitological techniques were used to detect larvae, and structured questionnaires were administered to vendors. One-way ANOVA, risk score and logistic regression were employed using SPSS version 28.0. Results The overall prevalence of S. stercoralis contamination in vegetables was 32.5%, with the highest contamination rates observed in leafy vegetables such as lettuce (26.9%) and cabbage (26.4%). The overall estimated risk score of Strongyloidiasis occurrence is 0.61, with the highest risk from leafy vegetables (lettuce: 1.00, cabbage: 0.89, spinach: 0.87) and the lowest from green pepper (0.14). Lettuce had 2.3 times higher odds of contamination compared to non-leafy vegetables. Vendors with no formal education had 3.6 times higher odds (AOR: 3.6, 95% CI: 2.02–6.54) of selling contaminated vegetables than those with secondary education or higher. Untrimmed fingernails were associated with a 4.8-fold increased risk (AOR: 4.8, 95% CI: 2.81–8.12) of contamination. Afternoon-collected vegetables had 2.02 times higher odds (AOR: 2.02, 95% CI: 1.17–3.51) of contamination than morning-collected samples. Transporting vegetables by carts significantly increased contamination risk (AOR: 3.7, 95% CI: 1.74–7.71) compared to car transportation. Conclusions and recommendations The findings identified leafy vegetables as a significant risk factor for exposure to S. stercoralis. Targeted interventions, improved hygiene, proper handling, and food safety policies are essential to mitigate S. stercoralis contamination risks. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5cdbb6a72fe146ff8e7df45f9ed65f6a |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2072-1315 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj-art-5cdbb6a72fe146ff8e7df45f9ed65f6a2025-08-20T03:42:57ZengBMCJournal of Health, Population and Nutrition2072-13152025-08-0144111210.1186/s41043-025-00893-4Strongyloides stercoralis contamination and risk factors in market vegetables: hidden dangers of communities living under poverty plateChalachew Yenew0Almaw Genet Yeshiwas1Gashaw Melkie Bayeh2Tilahun Degu Tsega3Sintayehu Simie Tsega4Asaye Alamneh Gebeyehu5Getaneh Atikilt Yemata6Rahel Mulatie Anteneh7Amare Genetu Ejigu8Ahmed Fentaw Ahmed9Zeamanuel Anteneh Yigzaw10Abathun Temesgen11Abebaw Molla Kebede12Habitamu Mekonen13Anley Shiferaw Enawgaw14Getasew Yirdaw15Berhanu Abebaw Mekonnen16Meron Asmamaw Alemayehu17Zufan Alamrie Asmare18Addis Mekonnen19Mengistu Damitie20Departement of Environmental Health Sciences, Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor UniversityDepartment of environmental health, college of medicine and health science, Injibara UniversityDepartment of environmental health, college of medicine and health science, Injibara UniversityDepartment of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Injibara UniversityDepartment of Medical Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of GondarDepatment of Public Health, College of health science, Debre Tabor UniversityDepatment of Public Health, College of health science, Debre Tabor UniversityDepatment of Public Health, College of health science, Debre Tabor UniversityDepartment of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Injibara UniversityDepartment of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Injibara UniversityDepartment of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar UniversityDepartment of environmental health, college of medicine and health science, Injibara UniversityDepartment of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Injibara UniversityDepartment of Human Nutrition, Collage of Health Science, Debre Markos UniversityDepartment of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Debre Markos UniversityDepartment of Environmental Health Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Debre Markos UniversityDepartment of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar UniversityDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of GondarDepartment of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine and Health Science, Debre Tabor UniversityDepartement of Environmental Health Sciences, Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor UniversityDepartement of Environmental Health Sciences, Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor UniversityAbstract Background Strongyloidiasis, caused by Strongyloides stercoralis (S. stercoralis) spreads through environmental contamination and poor food safety, posing high risks in especially in tropical regions. However, limited research exists on the contamination and transmission pathways in local markets. This study evaluated S. stercoralis exposure, the likelihood of occurrence of risk, and associated risk factors in vegetables to enhance food safety. Methods A cross-sectional study that involved both field and laboratory investigations was conducted in Debre Tabor City, Ethiopia, analyzing S. stercoralis contamination in 360 randomly selected vegetable samples collected from five randomly selected markets. Standard parasitological techniques were used to detect larvae, and structured questionnaires were administered to vendors. One-way ANOVA, risk score and logistic regression were employed using SPSS version 28.0. Results The overall prevalence of S. stercoralis contamination in vegetables was 32.5%, with the highest contamination rates observed in leafy vegetables such as lettuce (26.9%) and cabbage (26.4%). The overall estimated risk score of Strongyloidiasis occurrence is 0.61, with the highest risk from leafy vegetables (lettuce: 1.00, cabbage: 0.89, spinach: 0.87) and the lowest from green pepper (0.14). Lettuce had 2.3 times higher odds of contamination compared to non-leafy vegetables. Vendors with no formal education had 3.6 times higher odds (AOR: 3.6, 95% CI: 2.02–6.54) of selling contaminated vegetables than those with secondary education or higher. Untrimmed fingernails were associated with a 4.8-fold increased risk (AOR: 4.8, 95% CI: 2.81–8.12) of contamination. Afternoon-collected vegetables had 2.02 times higher odds (AOR: 2.02, 95% CI: 1.17–3.51) of contamination than morning-collected samples. Transporting vegetables by carts significantly increased contamination risk (AOR: 3.7, 95% CI: 1.74–7.71) compared to car transportation. Conclusions and recommendations The findings identified leafy vegetables as a significant risk factor for exposure to S. stercoralis. Targeted interventions, improved hygiene, proper handling, and food safety policies are essential to mitigate S. stercoralis contamination risks.https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-025-00893-4Strongyloides stercoralisVegetable contaminationFood safetyHygiene practicesPublic healthEthiopia |
| spellingShingle | Chalachew Yenew Almaw Genet Yeshiwas Gashaw Melkie Bayeh Tilahun Degu Tsega Sintayehu Simie Tsega Asaye Alamneh Gebeyehu Getaneh Atikilt Yemata Rahel Mulatie Anteneh Amare Genetu Ejigu Ahmed Fentaw Ahmed Zeamanuel Anteneh Yigzaw Abathun Temesgen Abebaw Molla Kebede Habitamu Mekonen Anley Shiferaw Enawgaw Getasew Yirdaw Berhanu Abebaw Mekonnen Meron Asmamaw Alemayehu Zufan Alamrie Asmare Addis Mekonnen Mengistu Damitie Strongyloides stercoralis contamination and risk factors in market vegetables: hidden dangers of communities living under poverty plate Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition Strongyloides stercoralis Vegetable contamination Food safety Hygiene practices Public health Ethiopia |
| title | Strongyloides stercoralis contamination and risk factors in market vegetables: hidden dangers of communities living under poverty plate |
| title_full | Strongyloides stercoralis contamination and risk factors in market vegetables: hidden dangers of communities living under poverty plate |
| title_fullStr | Strongyloides stercoralis contamination and risk factors in market vegetables: hidden dangers of communities living under poverty plate |
| title_full_unstemmed | Strongyloides stercoralis contamination and risk factors in market vegetables: hidden dangers of communities living under poverty plate |
| title_short | Strongyloides stercoralis contamination and risk factors in market vegetables: hidden dangers of communities living under poverty plate |
| title_sort | strongyloides stercoralis contamination and risk factors in market vegetables hidden dangers of communities living under poverty plate |
| topic | Strongyloides stercoralis Vegetable contamination Food safety Hygiene practices Public health Ethiopia |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-025-00893-4 |
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