Abstract / Summary
Abstract This study assessed the microbiological and parasitological quality of water used for food preparation by restaurants and local food vendors in Aba, Abia State, Nigeria. A total of 120 water samples were collected from 60 food-service facilities comprising restaurants and local food vendors. Samples were obtained from boreholes, rainwater, municipal water, and itinerant water supplies and examined for bacterial and parasitic contaminants. Statistical associations were evaluated using chi-square/Fisher's exact tests and Cramer's V. The findings revealed that, overall, 20.0% of the 120 water samples showed microbial contamination. Microbiological examination detected total coliforms in 12 (10.0%) samples, Escherichia coli in 5 (4.2%), Salmonella spp. in 3 (2.5%), and Staphylococcus aureus in 4 (3.3%). The distribution of microbial contamination did not differ significantly according to water source (χ² = 1.53, p = 0.997) or facility/location (χ² = 4.80, p = 0.964). Parasitological examination revealed contamination in 12 (10.0%) samples, with significantly higher contamination associated with itinerant water supplies (50.0%) than borehole (5.45%), municipal (6.0%), and rainwater (0.0%) sources (χ² = 23.82, p < 0.001; Cramer's V = 0.446). The parasites detected were Ascaris spp. (2.50%), Giardia lamblia (3.33%), and Cryptosporidia spp. (4.17%). However, parasitic profiles did not differ significantly across facility/location categories (χ² = 3.20, p = 0.921). The findings demonstrate that water used for food preparation in the study area may constitute a potential route for exposure to bacterial and parasitic contaminants. There is need for improved source monitoring, water treatment, hygienic storage, and routine microbiological and parasitological surveillance among food-service establishments.