Prevalence, characteristics and correlates of enteric pathogenic protozoa in drinking water sources in Molyko and Bomaka, Cameroon: a cross-sectional study.
Access to potable water remains a major challenge particularly in resource-limited settings. Although the potential contaminants of water are varied, enteric pathogenic protozoa are known to cause waterborne diseases greatly. This study aimed at investigating the prevalence, characteristics and correlates of enteric pathogenic protozoa in drinking water sources in Buea, Cameroon.



A cross-sectional study was conducted using 155 water samples collected from various drinking sources (boreholes, springs, taps and wells). Each sample was subjected to physicochemical examinations (pH, turbidity, odour and sliminess) and parasitological analysis (wet mount, modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain) to determine the presence of enteric pathogenic protozoa. A data collection tool was used to note characteristics of collected samples and the data was analysed using EPI-INFO Version 3.5.3.



The overall prevalence of enteric pathogenic protozoa in water sources was 62.6 %. Eight species of enteric protozoa were observed with Cryptosporidium parvum being the most predominant (45.8 %). Spring water was the most contaminated source with enteric protozoa (85.7 %) while pipe borne water had all eight species of protozoa identified. A pH of 6 was the only significant factor associated with the prevalence of these pathogens in water sources.



The prevalence of enteric protozoa in water sources in Molyko and Bomaka is high, spring water is the most contaminated water source and Cryptosporidium parvum is the most common protozoa contaminating water. A water pH of 6 is associated to the prevalence of protozoa. Community members need to be educated to treat water before drinking to avoid infection by enteric protozoa in water and further studies with larger samples of water need to be conducted to find other correlates of the presence of protozoa in water.
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63, Buea, Cameroon.
Fuh Anold
FA
Nsoh
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63, Buea, Cameroon. bamosw@yahoo.fr.|Department of Public Health and Hygiene, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63, Buea, Cameroon. bamosw@yahoo.fr.
Buh Amos
BA
Wung
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63, Buea, Cameroon.|Department of Public Health and Hygiene, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63, Buea, Cameroon.
Julius
J
Atashili
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63, Buea, Cameroon.
Pokam Thumamo
PT
Benjamin
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63, Buea, Cameroon.
Eba
E
Marvlyn
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63, Buea, Cameroon.|Department of Public Health and Hygiene, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63, Buea, Cameroon.
Keumami Katte
KK
Ivo
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63, Buea, Cameroon.
Assob Jules Clément
AJ
Nguedia
D002163:Cameroon; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003458:Cryptosporidium / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D060766:Drinking Water / Q000469:parasitology*; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000469:parasitology*; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D014876:Water Pollution; D014881:Water Supply
D060766:Drinking Water
Buea; Cameroon; Drinking water; Enteric pathogenic protozoa; Prevalence