ABSTRACT

The management of solid waste continues to be a major challenge in urban areas especially Aba, thus raising serious concern over public health. This study was conducted in Aba dumpsite to determine the influence of solid waste disposal on the epidemiology of human intestinal parasites among the residents living close to the site. Formal-ether concentration techniques were used to detect the presence of human intestinal parasites among the residents close to the site, the refuge sludge was examined using the Baermann funnel method and questionnaire was administered to elicit the resident responses. A total of 423 faceal samples were examined and 164(38.8%) persons were infected. The parasite found among the residents were hookworm 51(12.1%), Entameba histolytica 45(10.6%), Ascaris lumbricoides 38(9.0%), Trichuris tricura 2 1(5.0%) and Taenia saginata 9(2.1%). Of the five species of parasite found, the eggs of Hookworm species were highest 128(34.5%) followed by A. lumbricoides 87(23.5%), E. histolytica 75(20.2%), T tricura 45(12.1%) and T. saginata was least 36(9.7%). Age group 2 1-30 years recorded the highest (58.3%) infection followed by age group 11-20 years 49(54.4%) while 51 years and above were the least (3.7%). This was found to be statistically not significant (P<0.05). Females were more (48.8%) infected than males (34.5%) with Hookworm having the highest 36(8.5%) infection in males and T. tricura highest 16(3.7%) in females while T saginata had the lowest 3(0.7%) and 6(1.4%) infection rate in both sexes respectively, but this was statistically not significant (P<0.05). Those that reside closer to the dumpsite were found to be more (54.1%) infected than those whose distance is farther (31.8%). Infection was found to be highest (94.7%) among the scavengers and (88.9%) eateries while least (0.7%) infection rate occurred among the shop owners. A total of 576 parasitic eggs/cyst/trophozoites were recovered from the dumpsite. The species of parasite found were Ascaris lumbricoides 200(47.6%), Entameba histolytica 157(37.4%), Biantidium coil 71(16.9%), Taenia species 58(13.8%), Hookworm species 39(9.3%), Entameba coil 26(6.2%) and Trichuris tricura 25(6.0%). The overall intensity of parasitic infestation showed a positive correlation (R = 0.161). Analysis of the questionnaire revealed that majority (87.5%) of the residents is aware that they are at risk of contracting human intestinal parasite for living close to the site. Most of them 365(86.3%) know that it can be contracted through poor hygiene. Majority of them 197(46.6%) disposes waste at the dumpsite daily. Most of them 216(51.1%) disagreed to the fact that wastes at the site are managed regularly, they all agreed 329(77.8%) that one can get the parasites from dumpsite. The Asepa workers agreed strongly 11(78.6%) that increased industrialization and consumption of fresh raw is the major factor militating against the level of efficiency of waste management at the dumpsite. Waste not properly managed has been known to have a negative impact on health, environment and aesthetic values. A well planned waste management and health education programme for residents living around the Dumpsite will go a long way in reducing the potential of epidemic risks posed by dumpsites in Aba municipal.