Assessment of Helminth Contamination and Associated Public Health Risk in Water Sources in Imiringi, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Helminths are highly infective, causing serious diseases among man and animals via water and soil routes. This study assessed helminths contamination in three water sources in Imiringi, Bayelsa State, Nigeria: Kolo Creek, a handmade pit water reservoir, and a borehole. Using sodium chloride sedimentation, 150 water samples were analysed. A 41.3% infestation rate was observed, with the handmade pit water reservoir and Kolo Creek being the most affected. The helminths observed in this study were Ascaris 31 (29.0), Strongyloides 27 (25.2) and Triuris 49 (45.8). Water sources in the study area was infested with helminths pathogens, indicating health risk of residents. Helminth portray a serious public health problem and require deliberate effort to curtail its spread to save residents from helminthiasis.  The study established that Adherence to public health standards in the siting of bore hole and other manmade water sources can aid prevention of helminth spread and free residents from helminthiasis risk. Prioritizing personal cleanliness and ensuring strict compliance to sanitation policies can obstruction helminths contamination of water sources and promote human wellness and reduce burden on the health system. Residents depending on these sources for water should adopt the habiting of boiling water before use so as to get rid of parasitic worm residential in the water.