Demonstration of presence of human helminthes and protozoa in faecal matter from pit latrines of selected residential compounds in Lusaka, Zambia
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Date
2020
Authors
Mbewe, Zamiwe
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
The peri-urban on-site sanitation has unique challenges such as: lack of space and resources to
construct new pit latrines. To ensure sustainability, the emptying of filled pit latrines is necessary.
However, handling faecal matter especially if contaminated is risky. An assessment for
helminthes and Protozoa was undertaken on faecal matter from four peri-urban areas of Lusaka,
Zambia namely: Kanyama, Madimba, George and Chaisa compounds. The study aimed at finding
out whether pit latrine faecal matter is contaminated with helminth ova, larvae and protozoan
oocysts. Laboratory examinations through the Ammonium bicarbonate (AMBIC) method;
Crystal violet stain and Cryptosporidia species recovery technique detected the presence, type,
and viability of ova, larva and oocysts. Data was analysed by excel sheets and the use of statistical
paired sample t-tests. It was established that 96% of Kanyama Compound pit latrines had
Cryptosporidia species oocysts; 60% had Ascaris species ova which were viable in 4% of the pit
latrines. Whereas 20% had Enterobius species ova and 16% had Strongyloides species larva. It
was observed, 96% of George Compound pit latrines had Cryptosporidia species oocysts and
68% had Ascaris species ova which were viable in 48% of the pit latrines. Whereas 4% had
Enterobius species ova and 4% had Strongyloides species larva. It was noted that 92% of
Madimba Compound pit latrines had Cryptosporidia species oocysts and 40% had Ascaris
species ova which were viable in 20% of the pit latrines. Whereas 8% had Enterobius species
ova; 40% had Cyclospora species and 16% had Strongyloides species larva. Further, it was
observed that 96% of Chaisa Compound pit latrines had Cryptosporidia species oocysts and 56%
had Ascaris species ova which were viable in 36% of the pit latrines. Whereas 4% had Enterobius
species ova and 8% had Strongyloides species larva. Using Ascaris species as indicator parasite,
George Compound was the most affected by the parasites as it indicated a highest number of pit
latrines with Ascaris species ova with high viability although it showed only 4 types followed by
Kanyama Compound despite registering 11 types of parasites. Madimba compound indicated 9
types and Chaisa compounds had 4 types. The four compounds had a substantial enumeration of
ova and oocysts with top sludge showing large numbers that reduced with depth. The t-test for
paired samples showed that for Chaisa and George compounds, only Ascaris species varied in the
mean concentration of top and bottom layer samples; George and Madimba compounds samples
only varied in Cryptosporidia species; whereas Kanyama Compound samples showed no
variation at all. Faecal matter was found to be contaminated with helminth and protozoa
especially in the top layer sand hence not safe to public health, groundwater and the general
environment.
Key words: Helminth, Protozoa, Faecal matter, Public health and Groundwater.
Description
Thesis
Keywords
Ground water pollution--Zambia , Faecal matter--Helminthes--Zambia , Faecal matter--Protozoa--Zambia