Prevalence of intestinal parasite and associated factors among fruits and vegetables collected from local markets of woldia town, north east Ethiopia.

Intestinal parasites are parasites that can infect the gastrointestinal tract of humans. Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) remain a major public health concern in developing countries, particularly where hygiene and sanitation standards are poor. Fruits and vegetables are common sources of infection when they are contaminated with fecal matter or handled improperly. In Woldia Town, where local markets are the primary sources of fresh produce, assessing the prevalence of intestinal parasites is essential for identifying contamination routes and designing effective preventive measures. However, there is limited data in the study area. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites and identify associated factors among fruits and vegetables collected from local markets. A cross-sectional study was conducted from September to December 2025. A total of 288 fruit and vegetable samples were randomly collected from selected local markets. Each sample was examined microscopically using direct wet mount and formol-ether concentration techniques to detect parasites. Data on hygiene practices, market conditions, and vendors' handling behaviors was collected through structured questionnaires. Data analysis was done with SPSS version 27. Of the 288 samples analyzed, 81 (28.1%) contained at least one parasite species. The most and least commonly contaminated items were lettuce 21 (7.3%) and orange 3 (1.04%), respectively. The most commonly found parasite was cysts of Entamoeba histolytica/dispar 29 (10.1%), followed by cysts of Giardia lamblia 16 (5.6%). Produce type (AOR = 8.432; 95%CI: 1.209-9.668), covering fruits and vegetables (AOR = 7.55;CI:3.806-9.305), washing hands after using toilets (AOR = 3.85; 95%CI: 1.487-8.520), wash the fruits and vegetables (AOR = 8.89;95%CI: 9.93-11.56), wash hands before handling the fruits and vegetables (AOR = 7.796; 95%CI:5.650-10.407), and hearing that fruits and vegetables can carry disease-causing parasites (AOR = 7.925; 95%CI: 2.507-8.690) were all significantly associated with parasitic contamination. The study found a significant prevalence of intestinal parasitic contamination in fruits and vegetables. To mitigate the risk of parasitic infections, it is essential to promote proper food handling and hygiene practices, including hand washing. Key recommendations include implementing community awareness programs, providing hygiene training for vendors, establishing routine surveillance in local markets, and advocating for policies that enhance sanitation standards in food markets.