A good source of vitamins is leafy vegetables. However, contamination during cultivation, handling, transportation, and marketing can expose consumers to parasitic infections. This study assessed the occurrence and distribution of parasitic contaminants on commonly consumed leafy vegetables obtained from farms and markets in Jos, Plateau State and Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria, between June and July 2024. Four commonly consumed leafy vegetables which constitute 6 samples each of cabbage, lettuse, spinach and spring onion were collected on sampling days from the farms and markets and transported to the Laboratory for identification and parasitological analysis. Overall, 46.88% of the vegetables examined were contaminated with at least one parasite. Hookworm larvae were the most frequently detected (37.78%) while Cyst of Entamoeba histolytica, Fasciola hepatica, Ova of S. stercoralis and Cyst of Entamoeba coli recorded the least prevalence parasites with 1(2.22%) each. Vegetables sampled in Jos recorded higher parasitic contamination (57.78%) than Lafia which recorded (42.22%). Although this difference was not statistically significant (χ² = 0.008, p = 0.929). In Lafia, spinach had higher detection of parasites 4(21.05%) in market while in the farm cabbage shows more parasites prevalence of 3(15.79%). Lettuse sampled in the market in Jos recorded higher level of contamination with 7(26.92%) while in the farm cabbage recorded more contaminants with 4(15.38%). The least observed contamination was in Spring onion with 1(3.85%). The frequent consumption of these leafy vegetables in raw or lightly cooked forms increases the risk of parasitic infections. Improved hygiene practices and Continuous public health education on proper washing and handling is therefore strongly recommended.

Keywords: Leafy vegetables, Prevalence, Lafia, Jos, Farms, Markets