Prevalence of Giardia lamblia cyst; its detection in water bodies and relationship with environmental factors in Abagana, eastern Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the episode of giardiasis among the inhabitants of Abagana, its detection in the natural water bodies and its relationship with environmental factors. The overall prevalence of giardiasis among the inhabitants was 18.5%. The prevalence rate was statistically higher in children 1-5 years (p<0.05) and decreases with increase in age. The prevalence of the infection based on the type of toilet facility showed that greater number of Abagana people used nearby bush for defecation and was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). Results also revealed that stream had the highest contamination rate (92.5%). The least contamination rate was found in borehole water (p<0.05). The high level of contamination of the water bodies was observed to depend on the number of people using such, their behaviour, environmental degradation, toilet
facilities, poor hygienic practices and other environmental factors. The understanding of the epidemiological factor will help in checking the spread of infection.

Keywords: giardiasis, prevalence, natural water bodies.

Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 29 (2) 2008: pp. 147-151