Intestinal Parasitism, Potable Water Availability and Methods of Sewage Disposal in Three Communities in Benue State, Nigeria: A Survey

Abstract

Background: To assess the level of parasite burden in a village community and the predisposing factors. Methods: Two hundred subjects each were recruited from three communities- Tyogbenda, Jato-Aka and Adikpo during an episode of free medical outreach. A simple random sampling method was adopted and a questionnaire was interviewer administered on relevant aspects of basic hygiene such as- sources of water supply, methods of domestic sewage disposal and frequency of hand washing. Stool samples were collected and tested and findings analysed using appropriate statistical methods, p values < 0.05 were considered significant. Results: The prevalence of intestinal parasites in Tyogbenda, Jato-Aka and Adikpo communities was found to be 71.5%, 65.5% and 40.5% respectively. Ascaris lumbricoides was the commonest parasite in the three centres (34.5%, 28.5% and 19.0% respectively for Tyogbenda, Jato-Aka and Adikpo communities). Other parasites identified were- Entamoeba histolytica, Entamoeba coli, Hookworm, Enterobius vermicularis, Strongyloides stercoralis, Schistosoma mansoni and Trichuris trichura. Multiple parasitic infestation was common in the communities where quality of water supply and methods of sewage disposal facilities were below standard. Conclusion: The prevalence of intestinal parasitism is still high in Nigerian rural communities. The present resolve by the federal ministry of water resources to supply potable water to all Nigerian rural communities should be sustained. Furthermore, a health education program should be properly constituted and integrated into the present primary health care policy for the country.Introduction: Evaluer le niveau du fardeau du parasite dans une communaut\ue9 villageoise et des facteurs pr\ue9disposants. M\ue9thodes: Deux cents sujets, individuellement r\ue9cruit\ue9s venant de trois communaut\ue9s : Tyogbenda, Jato-Aka et Adikpo pendant l'\ue9pisode d'une activit\ue9 gratuite et m\ue9dicale visant \ue0 encourager les gens \ue0 profiter des avantages sociaux. Une m\ue9thode simple d'\ue9chantillon au hasard \ue9tait adopt\ue9e et un questinnaire \ue9tait administr\ue9 sur des aspects pertinents d'hygi\ue8ne du base tels que des sources d'alimentation en eau, m\ue9thodes domestique du traitement des ordures, et la fr\ue9quence de se laver les mains. On a fait un pr\ue9levement des f\ue8ces et \ue9tudies et des r\ue9sultats analys\ue9s \ue0 travers l'utilisation des m\ue9thodes statistique ad\ue9quates. P. Valeurs < O, 05 \ue9tait consid\ue9re important. R\ue9sultats: La fr\ue9quence des parasites intestinaux dans les communaut\ue9s Tyogbenda, Jato-Aka et Adokpo \ue9tait not\ue9e d'\ueatre 71,5%, 65,5% et 40,5% respectivement. Ascaris lumbricoides \ue9tait le parasite le plus ordinaire dans les trois centres (34,5%, 28,5% et 19,0% respectivement pour des communaut\ue9s Tyogbenda, Jato-Aka et Adkpo. Des autres parasites identifi\ue9s sont : Entamoeba histolytica, Entamoeba cole, Hookworm, Enterobius vermicularis, strongyloides stercoralis schistosome mansoni et trichuris trichura. Infestation parasitique multiple \ue9tait ordinaire dans des communat\ue9s o\uf9 la qualit\ue9 des am\ue9nagements d'alimentation en eau et m\ue9thodes de traitement des ordures sont inf\ue9rieur. Conclusion: La fr\ue9quence du parasitisme intestinal est encore \ue9lev\ue9 dans des communaut\ue9s rurales nig\ue9rianes. La d\ue9cision actuelle du Minist\ue8re F\ue9d\ue9ral des ressources de l'eau de fournir de l'eau buvable dans toutes les communaut\ue9s rurales nig\ue9rianes devrait \ueatre soutenue. Par ailleurs, un programme sur le renseignement m\ue9dical devrait \ueatre clairement cr\ue9\ue9 et intergr\ue9 dans la politique des soins m\ue9dical primaire actuels pour le pays