Parasitic contamination of circulating Nigerian currency in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and level of contamination of Naira notes in circulation in Ile Ife, Osun State,  Nigeria. Nine hundred and sixty (960) Naira notes comprising all denominations were collected randomly from commercial bus drivers,  point of sales (POS) operators, bread sellers and open market traders between October 2023 and March 2024. The parasite egg/cysts  were recovered using a standard parasitological procedure. Two hundred and thirty-seven (237) Naira notes harboured one or more  parasites giving an overall prevalence of 24.7%. Ten parasites were recovered which include Ascaris lumbricoides (14.1%) Taenia spp  (7.8%), Enterobius vermicularis (5.9%), Entamoeba histolytica (3.4%), Trichuris trichiura (0.6%), Ancylostoma duodenale (5.0%), Giardia  lamblia (1.3%), Fasciola hepatica (1.6%), Entamoeba coli (4.7%) and Balantidium coli (0.6%). The highest prevalence of contamination was  recorded in N100 notes (60.0%) followed by N200 Naira notes (26.7%) while the joint lowest contamination rate of 10% was recorded in  N10 Naira and N20 Naira notes respectively. Old notes were more contaminated (29.8%) than the newly redesigned notes (4.6%) and  higher parasitic contamination was recorded among paper notes (27.7%) than the polymers (18%). Mutilated Naira notes were more  contaminated (85.7%) than very dirty ones (50%). Based on the source of currency, Naira notes collected from commercial drivers had the  highest contamination (38.8%). Statistical associations were recorded between parasitic contamination of currency and currency  denomination, currency type, source of currency note, and physical condition of Naira note (P˂0.05) except among currency materials  where a nonsignificant association was recorded (P˃0.05). This study has revealed that currency notes in circulation in IleIfe, are  contaminated with a variety of parasites that pose a significant risk to public health and it is essential to promote good personal hygiene  practices, such as washing hands regularly, especially after using the toilet and handling currency notes.