SURVEY OF COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE STEERING WHEELS FOR PARASITE EGGS AND CYSTS IN ZARIA, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

  • : Ms Word, Ms Word Format
  • : 88 Pages
  • : ₦3000
  • : 1-5 Chapters
  •  
  • Click to DOWNLOAD Materials

SURVEY OF COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE STEERING WHEELS FOR PARASITE EGGS AND CYSTS IN ZARIA, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract:

Motor vehicle steerings can be contaminated with parasites that can pose health hazards to the users of such vehicles. The aim of the work was to determine the presence of parasite eggs and cysts on commercial motor vehicle steerings in Zaria, Kaduna State. Steerings of commercial motor vehicles were swabbed from five motor parks in Zaria Local Government Area. A total of 403 samples were collected between August, 2013 and February, 2014 and examined using zinc sulphate floatation medium of 1.19 specific gravity. Four hundred and three questionnaires were also used to study the risk factors for the prevalence of parasite eggs and cyst on the steerings. The overall prevalence of parasite eggs and cysts was 29 (7.2%). Cysts of Entamoeba histolytica were the most abundant 9 (31%), followed by Coccidian oocyst 7 (24.1%), cysts of Giardia 4 (13.8%), Strongyloides 3 (10.3%), hookworm eggs 3 (10.3%), Eggs of Hymenolepis nana 2 (6.9%) and cysts of Balantidium coli 1 (3.4%). Nineteen (4.5%) of the steerings of the drivers that owned animals were positive for parasite eggs and cysts while 10 (2.5%) of the steerings of the drivers that did not own animals were positive for parasite eggs and cysts. There were more parasite eggs and cysts 20 (5.0%) on motor vehicle steerings handled by more than one driver than those handled by only one driver 9 (2.2%). Fifteen (3.7%) of the steerings of the motor vehicles used occasionally to transport animals were positive for the parasite eggs and cysts followed by the steerings 14 (3.5%) of the motor vehicles that were not used to transport animals. None (0%) of the steerings of the motor vehicles that always transport animals was positive for parasite eggs and cysts. Twelve (3%) of the steerings that children had access to, were positive for the parasite eggs and cysts while 17 (4.2%) of the steerings that children did not have access to, were also positive for the parasite eggs and cysts. Twenty nine (7.2%) of the steerings of the drivers that washed their hands after visiting the vii toilet were positive for the parasite eggs and cysts while none (0%) of the steerings of the drivers that did not wash their hands after visiting the toilet were also positive for the parasite eggs and cysts. Twenty three (5.7) of the steerings that were cleaned by the drivers were positive for parasite eggs and cysts while 6 (1.5%) of the steerings that were not cleaned by the drivers were positive for parasite eggs and cysts. There was no significant association between presence of the parasite eggs and cysts and animal ownership, children having access to steerings, transport of animals, cleaning of steerings and washing of hands after visiting the toilet (p>0.05). However there was a significant association (OR= 0.5, 95% CI= 0.24-1.89, P= 0.001) between presence of the parasite eggs and cysts and the number of drivers per motor vehicles. This study shows that motor vehicle steerings are contaminated with parasite eggs and cysts of public health importance. There is need for public enlightenment to commercial drivers on the risk of their motor vehicle steerings serving as formites for the transmission of parasitic diseases.

SURVEY OF COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE STEERING WHEELS FOR PARASITE EGGS AND CYSTS IN ZARIA, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Sharing is caring!

Leave a Reply