Provision of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) resources has been advocated as necessary add-on strategy for sustainable control of soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) alongside annual mass drug administration (MD...Provision of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) resources has been advocated as necessary add-on strategy for sustainable control of soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) alongside annual mass drug administration (MDA) of albendazole to endemic communities. This study investigated the burden of STH and status of WASH resources in eight rural communities in Aiyedaade LGA, Osun State, Nigeria. Four of the communities were supported with improved water and hygiene resources (Category A), and another four supported only with improved water resources (Category B). Two hundred and sixteen (216) fresh stool samples were collected from consenting community members and screened for Ascaris lumbricoides, Hookworm and Trichuris trichiura infections using ether concentration method. The status and condition of WASH resources were determined using questionnaire and physical observation. An overall prevalence of 35.2% was observed for any STH infection. Species’ prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides, Hookworm and Trichuris trichiura prevalence was 33.8%, 22.7%, and 0.5% respectively. Intensity of STH infection was significantly higher in Category A communities than in Category B communities. The prevalence of STH in Category A communities was higher (42.0%) than that in Category B communities (30.1%). There were significant differences (p = 0.000) in STH infections between the two categories. The status of improved water supply was not significantly different (p = 0.3153) in the two categories. Knowledge, attitude, and practices about STH, its transmission and control were low in both categories of communities. These results imply that current implementation of WASH which tends to focus on resource distribution, equity, and coverage, is unlikely to impact on STH transmission and control. Therefore, it is necessary for WASH providers to consider STH transmission control in their planning and implementation of WASH intervention for STH endemic communities.展开更多
Evaluation of levels and spatial characteristics of dissolved nutrients and heavy metals in the river bed sediment within a basin are critical to understanding the extent of land-use impact on the river systems. Surfa...Evaluation of levels and spatial characteristics of dissolved nutrients and heavy metals in the river bed sediment within a basin are critical to understanding the extent of land-use impact on the river systems. Surface river bed sediments across eight rivers in the Ogun-Osun River Basin in Nigeria were collected and analyzed for Total N, , Total P, Total organic carbon, Cd, Hg, Pb, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn and Cr. Pollution Load Index (PLI), Accumulation Factor (AF) and Hierarchical Clustering Analysis (HCA) were used to identify the impact of the pollutants and also define the spatial variation across the basin. The pollution load indices of heavy metals were moderately high ranging from 0.41 - 0.60, while AFs were 0.43 - 2.00 and 0.61 - 1.29 for heavy metals and nutrients from upstream to downstream in the rivers systems, respectively. The HCA identified 7 distinct spatial patterns describing pollutant input from the land-use in the basin. Although, heavy metals contents were low in relation to the background values, and the potential for redistribution and secondary pollution was high hence, there was need to impose checks on the activities across agricultural, urban and grazing land-uses that had impact negatively on the river systems in the basin.展开更多
Osun Sacred Forest Grove is a unique landscape that combines important environmental, biological and cultural features. We conducted a multifaceted rapid assessment to evaluate the conservation status of the grove ele...Osun Sacred Forest Grove is a unique landscape that combines important environmental, biological and cultural features. We conducted a multifaceted rapid assessment to evaluate the conservation status of the grove eleven years after it was designated a World Heritage Site. We recorded a rich diversity, consisting of 2 rock types, 3 minerals, 88 plant species, 108 insect families and 4 mammal species. Our survey also enabled us document up to 40 cultural artifacts. However, the plants, small mammals and insects collected, in their role as indicator taxa, demonstrate that biodiversity decreases extending outward from the core area of the grove into the buffer and outside zones. In addition, the detection of heterotrophic bacteria and fungi from microbiological analyses in water samples of the Osun River which runs through the grove raises health concerns. Our findings lead us to recommend that efforts be stepped up to deter encroachment of the buffer and outside zones into the core area of the grove. Furthermore, careful repair of deteriorating cultural artifacts should be undertaken regularly, with the actions of visitors monitored adequately to prevent depletion of biodiversity and pollution of the environment.展开更多
文摘Provision of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) resources has been advocated as necessary add-on strategy for sustainable control of soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) alongside annual mass drug administration (MDA) of albendazole to endemic communities. This study investigated the burden of STH and status of WASH resources in eight rural communities in Aiyedaade LGA, Osun State, Nigeria. Four of the communities were supported with improved water and hygiene resources (Category A), and another four supported only with improved water resources (Category B). Two hundred and sixteen (216) fresh stool samples were collected from consenting community members and screened for Ascaris lumbricoides, Hookworm and Trichuris trichiura infections using ether concentration method. The status and condition of WASH resources were determined using questionnaire and physical observation. An overall prevalence of 35.2% was observed for any STH infection. Species’ prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides, Hookworm and Trichuris trichiura prevalence was 33.8%, 22.7%, and 0.5% respectively. Intensity of STH infection was significantly higher in Category A communities than in Category B communities. The prevalence of STH in Category A communities was higher (42.0%) than that in Category B communities (30.1%). There were significant differences (p = 0.000) in STH infections between the two categories. The status of improved water supply was not significantly different (p = 0.3153) in the two categories. Knowledge, attitude, and practices about STH, its transmission and control were low in both categories of communities. These results imply that current implementation of WASH which tends to focus on resource distribution, equity, and coverage, is unlikely to impact on STH transmission and control. Therefore, it is necessary for WASH providers to consider STH transmission control in their planning and implementation of WASH intervention for STH endemic communities.
文摘Evaluation of levels and spatial characteristics of dissolved nutrients and heavy metals in the river bed sediment within a basin are critical to understanding the extent of land-use impact on the river systems. Surface river bed sediments across eight rivers in the Ogun-Osun River Basin in Nigeria were collected and analyzed for Total N, , Total P, Total organic carbon, Cd, Hg, Pb, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn and Cr. Pollution Load Index (PLI), Accumulation Factor (AF) and Hierarchical Clustering Analysis (HCA) were used to identify the impact of the pollutants and also define the spatial variation across the basin. The pollution load indices of heavy metals were moderately high ranging from 0.41 - 0.60, while AFs were 0.43 - 2.00 and 0.61 - 1.29 for heavy metals and nutrients from upstream to downstream in the rivers systems, respectively. The HCA identified 7 distinct spatial patterns describing pollutant input from the land-use in the basin. Although, heavy metals contents were low in relation to the background values, and the potential for redistribution and secondary pollution was high hence, there was need to impose checks on the activities across agricultural, urban and grazing land-uses that had impact negatively on the river systems in the basin.
文摘Osun Sacred Forest Grove is a unique landscape that combines important environmental, biological and cultural features. We conducted a multifaceted rapid assessment to evaluate the conservation status of the grove eleven years after it was designated a World Heritage Site. We recorded a rich diversity, consisting of 2 rock types, 3 minerals, 88 plant species, 108 insect families and 4 mammal species. Our survey also enabled us document up to 40 cultural artifacts. However, the plants, small mammals and insects collected, in their role as indicator taxa, demonstrate that biodiversity decreases extending outward from the core area of the grove into the buffer and outside zones. In addition, the detection of heterotrophic bacteria and fungi from microbiological analyses in water samples of the Osun River which runs through the grove raises health concerns. Our findings lead us to recommend that efforts be stepped up to deter encroachment of the buffer and outside zones into the core area of the grove. Furthermore, careful repair of deteriorating cultural artifacts should be undertaken regularly, with the actions of visitors monitored adequately to prevent depletion of biodiversity and pollution of the environment.
