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

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 communauté villageoise et des facteurs prédisposants. Méthodes: Deux cents sujets, individuellement récruités venant de trois communautés : Tyogbenda, Jato-Aka et Adikpo pendant l'épisode d'une activité gratuite et médicale visant à encourager les gens à profiter des avantages sociaux. Une méthode simple d'échantillon au hasard était adoptée et un questinnaire était administré sur des aspects pertinents d'hygiène du base tels que des sources d'alimentation en eau, méthodes domestique du traitement des ordures, et la fréquence de se laver les mains. On a fait un prélevement des fèces et étudies et des résultats analysés à travers l'utilisation des méthodes statistique adéquates. P. Valeurs < O, 05 était considére important. Résultats: La fréquence des parasites intestinaux dan