Prevalence and Public Health Significance of Gastro-Intestinal Parasites in Human and Dog Faeces Deposited in Public Places in Maiduguri, Nigeria

Abstract

Faecal materials of human and canine origin and soil samples from different locations inMaidugurimetropolis were examined for the presence of gastro-intestinal parasites between January and March 1996.  A total  of 362 human and 64 dog faeces, and 80 soil samples were examined with 156 (43.1%), 24 (37.5%) and 10 (12.5%) of them respectively containing the cysts and/or ova of one or more gastro-intestinal parasite.  Ascarid and hookworm ova and Entmoeba cysts were the most common parasites encountered in human faeces and occurred in 50 (13.8%), 38 (9.4%) and 34 (9.4%) of the samples respectively.  Other parasites encountered in human faeces were Taenia (6.6%), Trichuris (4.4%), Schistosoma (2.8%), Hymenolepis (2.2% and Giardia (0.6%) species.  Only hookworm and ascarid (Toxocara) ova were encountered in dog faeces (37.5% and 3.1% respectively) and soil samples (5.0% and 10.0% respectively) examined during the period.  Although public places in most parts ofMaiduguriappeared to be highly contaminated with gastro-intestinal parasites of man and dogs, the contamination was significantly more common (P<0.05) in high density than low density areas of the metropolis.  The public health significance of these findings are discussed.