Sanitary survey of residential areas using Ascaris Lumbricoides ova as indicators of environmental hygiene, Jimma Town, Ethiopia

Background: Fecal contamination is a serious environmental health problem. The prevalence of human ascariasis is high in temperate and tropical environments. Objective: To assess the sanitary aspects of soil by detection of Ascaris lumbricoides ova. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted during July – September 2005. A total of 274 households from 6 Kebeles in Jimma town were assessed and interviewed for waste disposal, water and latrine facilities using structured questionnaire. Three hundred soil samples were also collected from residential areas of each household and examined microscopically for Ascaris lumbricoides and other helminth ova using sugar flotation technique. Results: Of the 274 respondents, 83.2% were literate, 71.5% Christians, 43.8% government employees and 33% poor earning less than 8 Birr/day. Of the households, 96.7% had latrines, 88.7% of which were functioning and 54.7% were pit latrines. For disposal of household waste, 163(59.5%) and 86(31.4%) used open field and refuse pits respectively. Majority, 253(92.3%) used piped water for drinking and sanitary purposes. Ascaris lumbricoides ova were isolated in 37.3% of the soil samples and the overall proportion of helminth ova recovered was 41.5%. Conclusion: The living yards of the households were contaminated with helminth ova. Strict environmental protection through health education of the people is required. Use of A. lumbricoides ova as environmental health indicator could contribute to the development of surveillance tools and health protection measures in this area. Large scale study on the issue is recommended.