Parasitic Contamination of Drinking Water Sources in Kura Local Government Area of Kano State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Contamination of water sources with parasites are a threat to millions of people in developing countries, which result in severe morbidities and mortalities. Aim: The study aims to assess the parasitic contamination of drinking water sources in Kura Local Government Area of Kano State. Methodology: Total of eighty (80) water samples were collected twenty (20) each from wells, ponds, boreholes, and streams in clean bottles. Each of the water samples were examine for macroscopic and physical examination and subjected to parasitological assessment using standard parasitological techniques. Results: The overall prevalence of parasites in the samples is 16.25%. The prevalence of the parasite in relation to parasite species showed that Ascaris lumbricoides has the highest occurrence with total of 4 appearances representing 30.7%, followed by hookworm with total of 3 frequencies accounting for 23.1% while G. lamblia and T. trichiura has the least appearance with 1 each representing 7.7% each. The prevalence of parasites in relation to the water sources indicated that pond has the highest number of parasites examined with total of 5 representing 38.5% followed by stream with total of 4 parasites while well water has 2 parasite and borehole recorded only 1 parasite; with exception of borehole, other sources were contaminated with parasites. There is statistical significant difference in the number of parasite in relation to water sources. Conclusion: It is concluded that the sampled water sources in the study area contain water-borne parasites.