Sanitary survey of residential areas using Ascaris lumbricoides ova as indicators of environmental hygiene, Jimma, Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract
Background: Fecal contamination is a serious environmental health problem. The prevalence of human ascariasis is
high in temperate and tropical environments.
Objective: To assess the sanitary conditions of soil using the presence of Ascaris lumbricoides ova as an indicator.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted during July – September 2005. A total of 274 households from 6
Kebeles in Jimma town were assessed and interviewed on waste disposal practices, and characteristics and usage of
water and latrine facilities using a structured questionnaire. Three hundred soil samples were also collected from each
household and examined microscopically for Ascaris lumbricoides and other helminth ova using sugar flotation
technique.
Results: Of the 274 respondents, 83.2% were literate, 43.8% were government employees and 33% earned less than 8
Birr/day. Of the households, 96.7% had latrines, 88.7% of which were functioning and 54.7% were pit latrines. For
disposal of household waste, 163(59.5%) used open fields and 86(31.4%) used refuse pits. A majority (253, 92.3%)
used piped water for drinking and sanitary purposes. Ascaris lumbricoides ova were isolated in 37.3% of the soil
samples and the overall proportion of helminth ova recovered was 41.5%.
Conclusion: The living yards of the households were contaminated with helminth ova. Use of A. lumbricoides ova as
an environmental health indicator could contribute to the development of surveillance tools and health protection
measures in this area. A large scale study on the issue is recommended as is environmental health education for
households. [Ethiop.J.Health Dev.2007;21(1):18-24]