Effect of water supply and sanitation on the prevalence and intensity of Ascaris lumbricoides among pre-school-age children in Ajebandele and Ifewara, Osun State, Nigeria

The relationship between Ascaris lumbricoides infection and provisions for safe water supply and excreta disposal was investigated in Ajebandele and Ifewara, 2 peri-urban communities near Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria, from September 1998 to December 1999. Although there were more facilities for safe...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 2002-11, Vol.96 (6), p.600-604
Main Authors: Asaolu, S.O., Ofoezie, I.E., Odumuyiwa, P.A., Sowemimo, O.A., Ogunniyi, T.A.B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age Distribution
Animals
Ascariasis
Ascariasis - epidemiology
Ascaris lumbricoides
Biological and medical sciences
Child, Preschool
children
Diseases caused by nematodes
Female
Helminthic diseases
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Infectious diseases
Male
Medical sciences
Nigeria
Nigeria - epidemiology
Parasitic diseases
Prevalence
Regression Analysis
Sanitation
Sex Distribution
Tropical medicine
Water Supply
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Summary:The relationship between Ascaris lumbricoides infection and provisions for safe water supply and excreta disposal was investigated in Ajebandele and Ifewara, 2 peri-urban communities near Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria, from September 1998 to December 1999. Although there were more facilities for safe water supply (pipe-borne and shallow wells) and sanitation (flush toilets and pit latrines) in Ajebandele than in Ifewara, they were not evenly distributed and only a few families, mainly in Ajebandele, were well provided for. Our results indicated that the prevalence of A. lumbricoides was significantly higher in Ifewara (21·2%) than in Ajebandele (13·1%), and within villages was much lower in houses with tap water and flush toilets. However, the mean intensity of infection was unexpectedly higher in Ajebandele (166·5 ± 692·0) than in Ifewara (153·1 ± 485·8) suggesting that the present level of investment in Ajebandele is probably not sufficient to reduce morbidity. These findings confirm suggestions that there is a threshold level of investment below which interventions on water supply and sanitation may not significantly improve human health. Sustainable ascariasis control in the study communities will require significant improvements to existing water supplies and sanitation facilities and any future interventions should incorporate a programme of health education to ensure that the facilities provided are properly used and hygienically maintained.
ISSN:0035-9203
1878-3503
DOI:10.1016/S0035-9203(02)90323-8