Parasitological Evaluation of Domestic Water Sources in a Rural Community in Nigeria
Solomon Chuwang Chollom *
Viral Research Department, National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Nigeria.
Michael Unata Iduh
Department of Medical Microbiology, Usmanu Dan Fodio University, Sokoto, Nigeria.
Bitrus Joseph Gyang
Bacteriology Department, Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, Vom, Nigeria.
Micheal Abbah Idoko
Haematology and Blood Group Serology Department, Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, Vom, Nigeria
Aloysius Ujah
Chemical Pathology Department, Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, Vom, Nigeria.
Godwin Ojonugwa Agada
Central Diagnostics Department, National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Nigeria.
Joan Peter
Parasitology Division, National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Nigeria.
Yomi Richard Akele
Bacteriology Department, Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, Vom, Nigeria.
Joseph Ameh Okwori
Bacteriology Department, Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, Vom, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: To evaluate the level of safety of water sources in a rural settlement in Nigeria with reference to parasitic infections and to make appropriate recommendations to the government and the community dwellers.
Study Design: Investigative study.
Place and Duration of Study: Samples were collected in Heipang, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria between October-December, 2012. They were processed at the General Laboratory of National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Nigeria.
Methodology: 100 water samples were collected from domestic water sources. 10 of the samples were from streams, 60 from ponds, 20 from wells and 10 were from bore holes. Samples were investigated for presence of parasites using standard World Health Organisation approved laboratory techniques. Each sample was subjected to macroscopy, filtration, centrifugation and microscopy.
Results: It revealed that 59 out of 100 water sources investigated had parasitic infestation. Ponds had the highest degree of parasitic contamination (78.3%), streams followed closely with 50%, while wells and bore holes had 35% and 0% in that order. Helminths were the leading parasitic genera encountered with Ascaris species accounting for 33.9% of the parasites. Hookworm was the second most common helminth with the prevalence of 20.3%. Strongyloides species accounted for a paltry prevalence of 3.4%. Protozoan cysts of Balanditium coli and Entamoeba histolytica accounted for 18.6% of parasites each.
Conclusion: These findings clearly show that most water sources in the study area constitute grave epidemiological threat to public health. Inhabitants of such communities should boil or treat their water before consumption while government authorities should provide safe drinking water to the rural dwellers.
Keywords: Water, helminthes, protozoa, prevalence, Nigeria