Contamination Health Risks Of Parasitic Helminths Associated With Reused Wastewater For Vegetable Irrigation In Mbeya, Tanzania

ABSTRACT

Reuse of wastewater for vegetable irrigation is common in developing countries due to its accessibility and being rich in fertilizing elements thus improving crops yield. Regardless of these advantages, the practice plays an important role in transmission of intestinal parasitic helminths to vegetable consumers. This study was conducted to assess farmers’ awareness, perceptions, managerial and consumption practices regarding vegetables irrigated with reused wastewater on health risks of consumers. In addition, this study assessed intestinal parasitic helminths eggs concentration and profile from samples of wastewater and vegetables irrigated with wastewater. Sociological survey data were collected from 61 purposively selected smallholder vegetable farmers using semi-structured questionnaire. A total of 56 samples of effluent water from wastewater treatment ponds (WWTP), polluted stream water (PSW) and reused wastewater irrigated vegetables were collected for parasitological examination. Parasitological examination was conducted using the floatation method adopting a modified Bailenger protocol with zinc sulphate (1.3 specific gravity). Then all Taeniid eggs positive isolates were subjected to PCR for Taenia solium detection. Differences in farmers’ awareness and perception levels were analyzed by multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). The association between demographic factors and vegetable consumption practices were analyzed using multivariate linear regression analysis model. The results indicated presence of risky practices for transmission of intestinal helminths in the study area such as consumption of raw vegetables. Education levels of the respondents found to influence consumption practices of vegetables irrigated with wastewater (P