Publication: The Occurrence of Viable Helminthes Ova in Pit Latrine Faecal Sludge In Nakuru Sub County, Kenya
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2018-12-03
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IOSR Journal of Environmental Science, Toxicology and Food Technology (IOSR-JESTFT)
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Abstract
Pit latrines eventually fill up and mostly have to be disludged for continued reuse of the facility.
Disludging and disposal of pit latrine contents may expose the public and disludgersto harmful pathogens.
Helminthes have been found to exist in faecal sludge and are the most resilient hence their elimination would
render the faecal sludge safe upon exposure. Little is known on the occurrence of helminthes parasites and their
magnitude in Kenya. It’s on these facts that this research is based upon to find out the various helminthes
species present in faecal sludge and their occurrences in regard to pit latrine depth. Thirty five pit latrines were
selected purposively and sampled at various depths and analyzed for viable helminthes ova using the floatation
method. One way analysis of variance was used to determine significant differences in the occurrence of various
helminthes ova versus pit latrine depth. Where significant differences were found, a post hoc test (fishers exact
and Tukey) was done to establish the exact depth at which the significance occurred. Results indicate that
among the 128 samples collected, 23% were found to bear viable helminthes ova. Seven helminthes species
were established; Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuristrichiura, Schistosomahaematobium, Schistosomamansoni,
Taeniasp, Enterobiusvermicularies and Necatoramericanus. A statistical significant difference in the
occurrence of total viable helminthes ova was found to occur. A statistical significant difference in the
occurrence of Ascaris ova in regard to pit latrine depth was also found to occur. Pit latrine sludge in Nakuru
was thereforefound to contain numerous infective helminthes parasites and the fact that they exist even at
deeper depths despite significant differences in their occurrence renders pit latrine sludge hazardous upon
exposure to disludgers, public and the environment. Proper care should thus be ensured when handling and
disposing raw sludge from pit latrines in Nakuru Sub Count