Parasitic And Fecal Contamination Of Some Domestic Water Sources

Description

ABSTRACT

Availability of good water source is essential to every community in other to allay the risk of water- borne infection and diseases. In this study, the isolation of parasites and rate of parasitic contamination from different water sources were evaluated in Akure, Nigeria. A total of 816 water samples were collected from wells, streams, boreholes, and rain in the study areas. The samples were examined using calcium carbonate floatation and stained microscopic methods. Also, parameters (temperature, pH, and turbidity) of the different water sources were measured.

The results shows that Of all the water sources, stream water samples recorded the highest prevalence (45%), followed by well water (24%), rain water (21%), and borehole water having the least prevalence of 10% with significant difference. Different developmental stages of both protozoan and helminthic parasites were isolated from all the sampled water sources. Protozoa parasites isolated were Cryptosporidium parvum, Gardia spp., and Entamoeba histolytica with prevalence of 33.2, 19.9, and 13.0% respectively. Dracunculus medinensis and Enterobius vermicularis with prevalence of 10.3% and 4.0% respectively were helminthes recovered. It was observed that the occurrence of the parasites in the water sources was affected by the water parameters (temperature, pH, and turbidity). All the water sources harbored at least one parasite except for the borehole water sources in Akure North in which no parasite was isolated.

CHAPTER ONE

1.0                                                               INTRODUCTION

1.1                                                     BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Water is of fundamental importance to human life, animals, and plants. It is of equal importance with the air we breathe in maintaining the vital processes of life, and it makes up 60% of body weight in human body (Bonjoch, Balleste, & Blanch, 2004).

Water-borne parasitic infections are considered a threat and of public health importance especially in developing countries (Oyedeji, Olutiola, & Mononuola, 2010). Water is inevitably the source of life on earth and without it, life sustenance becomes difficult. Water of good quality is of basic importance to human physiology, and man’s continued existence  depends  very  much  on its availability (Okonko, Ogunnusi, Adejoye, & Shittu, 2008). Drinking water could be gotten from sources such as borehole/tap water, well water, dams, rivers, streams, lakes, municipal water, and rain water. Every community of humans, animals, or plants has one or more of these as their source of drinking water. Pollution of ground- water with pathogenic microorganisms is generally be- lieved to be a consequence of migration or introduction of faecal material either from  humans  or  animals  into the subsurface. Faecal pollution can reach groundwater from many concentrated pond sources such as cesspools, landfills, leaking sewer lines, and filled septic systems (Sadallah & Al-Najar, 2014).

Over 3 million deaths per year are attributed to water- borne diarrhoeal diseases especially among infants and young children in poor communities in Africa, Asia, and South America (Anon., 1997). Parasitic infections affect work and productivity as they are usually associated with a diminished capacity to carry out physical work (Chollom et al., 2013). Despite the promotion of public health and improvement of life style in the recent years, parasitic diseases have remained a public health problem in many parts of the world. Water is a major source for acquiring several pathogenic agents including bacteria, viruses, and parasites. These biological agents can be transmitted via non- sanitized water (Dura, Kambourova, & Simeonova, 2006; LV et al., 2013). According to World Health Organization reports, more than 80 infectious diseases can be transmit- ted by water (Ayaz et al., 2011). Water quality problems and massive contamination remain unsolved leading to transmission of various water-borne diseases.

Therefore, there is a need for continuous research on water quality and sanitation which brought about the isolation and determination of rate of parasitic contamination of different water sources in the study areas. Research of such will provide information on the status of water sources in an environment which will help to reduce the risk of water-borne infections and diseases.

1.2                                                     PROBLEM STATEMENT

Waterborne parasitic diseases form one of common and important public health and economic problems in low- and middle-income countries, though little is known on the burden and patterns of these diseases in most regions. In addition to public health impact, waterborne diseases can have a significant impact on the economy of endemic countries and globally. While there are global concerns regarding waterborne diseases, especially in resource poor countries such as those of Africa, information on the burden and distribution of these diseases is limited. This work is required to guide control efforts to safeguard public health and improve well being.

1.3                                                         AIM OF THE STUDY

This study was therefore designed to evaluate the parasitic and fecal contamination of some water sources in Nigerian communities using Akure ondo state as a case study. The objectives are:

1. To present systematic scoping review summarizes prevalence and patterns of waterborne parasitic diseases in Africa and global efforts to control the diseases.
2. To detect the presence of parasites in the river and in some domestic water sources.

• To study and become familiar with waterborne parasitic diseases

1.4                                               SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study will make the reader to understand the parasitic infections effect on work and productivity as they are usually associated with a diminished capacity to carry out physical work. This is of great significance because in many countries, hard physical work is the means by which families grow their food.

This study will also throw light on the parasitic and fecal contamination occurred and how they are been contacted.

The study will also expose the reader on the need for continuous research on water quality and sanitation.

1.4                                                   SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study discusses on how quality water should be free from chemical and biological contamination and must be acceptable in terms of colour, taste and odour in accordance with the World Health Organisation guidelines on the quality of drinking water [WHO, 2016].

And how domestic water sources such as Wells, bore holes, ponds and streams need a great deal of protection from pollution and contamination by potential parasites, micro-organisms and harmful chemical substances. Unfortunately, these water sources have become sites for breeding and harbouring of many diseases – causing agents, [Adams, 2019]. Water-borne diseases are usually acquired by the consumption of polluted water containing human and animal faecal matter from patients or healthy carriers [Cairncross, 2013]. This study involves collecting and examining of samples using calcium carbonate floatation and stained microscopic methods. Also, parameters (temperature, pH, and turbidity) of the different water sources were measured.

 

1.6                                                  LIMITATION OF STUDY

As we all know that no human effort to achieve a set of goals goes without difficulties, certain constraints were encountered in the course of carrying out this project and they are as follows:-

1. Difficulty in information collection: I found it too difficult in laying hands of useful information regarding this work and this course me to visit different libraries and internet for solution.
2. Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).

Time Constraint:   The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

1.7                                             RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

In the course of carrying this study, numerous sources were used which most of them are by visiting libraries, consulting journal and news papers and online research which Google was the major source that was used.

1.8                                     PROJECT ORGANISATION

The work is organized as follows: chapter one discuses the introductory part of the work,   chapter two presents the literature review of the study,  chapter three describes the methods applied, chapter four discusses the results of the work, chapter five summarizes the research outcomes and the recommendations.