Egberongbe, Haneefat O., Agbolade, Olufemi M., Adesetan, Titilayo O. Mabekoje, Oladele O. and Olugbode, Adebayo M
Cryptosporidium is an important cause of diarrhoea in humans which causes significant morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised individuals, young children and old persons. We studied childhood cryptosporidiosis in relation to toilet types and water sources in Ijebu and Remo areas of Ogun State, Nigeria. Fresh faeces from 420 children aged 0-8 years attending three referral hospitals were examined using a modified Ziehl-Neelsen method between February and June 2009. The parent/guardian of each child was interviewed on toilet type and water source. Overall, 90 (21.4%) of the children were infected with Cryptosporidium species which was significantly more prevalent among those with diarrhoeic faeces (P < 0.001). The prevalences among males (25.0%) and females (16.7%) were statistically similar (P > 0.05), but 3-5 years age group were most infected (36.2%). The infection was commonest among children from households using nearby bush as toilet (46.3%), and those using stream/pond as water source (47.6%). The study showed that childhood cryptosporidiosis is common among children in close relation with lack of sanitation and potable water in Ijebu and Remo areas of Ogun State, Nigeria. There is need to enforce existing laws on provision of functional household toilets and environmental sanitation.
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