THE PREVALENCE AND PUBLIC HEALTH IMPLICATIONS OF SHIGELLA BACTERIA IN DRINKING WATER SOURCES IN OKOFIA, OTOLO, NNEWI NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ANAMBRA STATE

Abstract

This study" Assessing the prevalence and public health implications of Shigellosis bacteria in drinking water sources in Okofia in Otolo Nnewi North Local government Area, Anambra State" was carried out to assess the prevalence and public health implications of Shigellosis bacteria in drinking water sources in Okofia in Otolo Nnewi North, Anambra State, Nigeria. The specific objectives of this study  was ; to determine the prevalence and distribution of shigella species in Okofia Nnewi North Local government Area, to investigate the socio-economic factors influencing exposure to shigella contaminated drinking water , to evaluate the public health implications of Shigellosis bacteria in of shigella contamination in drinking water sources for residents in Okofia. The research was a cross-sectional study. The sampled water sources were randomly selected using a simple random sampling technique after taking into consideration the geography of Okofia community within Nnewi North Local government Area.  A total of 15 samples of sampled water sources were collected and analyzed and lso organized in a data recording sheet and compared with standards set by WHO and NSDWQ for drinking water quality. Results from this study showed that there was prevalence of shigella bacteria in water samples collected from the sampled water sources in Okofia. 2 out of 15)  shows  the bacteria isolate  of shigella in the water sources which are (S7) and (S11) , then 13 out of 15 had no bacteria isolate in them . The findings were used to assess and evaluate the public health implications of Shigellosis bacteria in drinking water sources in Okofia and provide recommendations on improving water quality in the community.