ABSTRACT
Water is important to human life and public health but most freshwater sources are being
polluted through human activities globally. An important rural water source in southeast
Nigeria was studied between January and June 2022 in 3 stations for parasitic
contamination. Water samples were collected and analyzed using standard methods while
parasitological samples were collected using grab and composite filtration methods and
analyzed with sedimentation method. The results showed that out of the eleven (11)
parameters evaluated, some values of pH, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand
and chemical oxygen demand did not conform to limits. Five (5) helminthes and protozoa
parasites of human health importance were recorded. The overall prevalence was 33.33%.
Grab method prevalence was 22.22% while composite filtration method was 44.44%.
Strongyloides stercoralis was most prevalent (22.22%), Balantidium coli (16.67%) and
Ascaris lumbricoides (2.78%), Fasciola gigantica (2.78%) and Entaemoeba histolytica
(2.78%). Station 2 had the highest parasitic load (9) and station 3, the least (3). May 2022
had the highest number of parasites and none in April 2022. The prevalence was influenced
by physicochemical parameters, sampling methods, human activities and season. In view of
the high prevalence rate, the water needs to be treated before use and open defecation
discouraged around the river.
KEYWORDS:Water, Contamination, Waterborne parasite, Environment, Grab, Composite
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