SURFACE WATER USAGE AND ITS POTENTIAL ROLE IN THE TRANSMISSION OF PARASITIC DISEASES IN ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The use of surface water and its potential role in the transmission of parasitic diseases was investigated in Abeokuta and environs, over a period of 3 months (January – March, 1998) by qualitative observations of the frequency of human activities. This study have identified activities such as defaecation, swimming, washing, bathing, refuse dumping, dredging, fishing among others to be associated with the streams and rivers examined.  In addition, snail intermediate host of Schistosoma heamatobium (Bulinus globlosus) and the intermediate host of guinea worm (Themocyclops nigerianus) were seen in some water bodies. Also, of the 422 fresh stools examined from the banks of the water bodies, 261 (61.84%) contained ova of one or a combination Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichuria and hookworm. These findings underscore the problems of unsafe water sources in the study area and its associated risk, such as the transmission of schistosomiasis, dracunculiasis and geohelminths.