Prevalence of Giardiasis due to wastewater reuse for agriculture in the suburbs of Asmara City, Eritrea

Abstract

A study was undertaken to assess the health impact of utilization of the raw domestic sewage for vegetable cultivation in the suburbs of the capital city of Asmara, Eritrea. Standard techniques were adopted for the analysis of the samples. Results showed heavy contamination of vegetables by faecal coliforms as well as with Giardia cysts. Stool samples of 75 farmers who were occupationally exposed revealed that 45% of them were harbouring giardia cysts. The dietary intake of raw salads (lettuce, cabbage) grown on the raw sewage appear to be a causative factor of Giardiasis in the farming community as well as in the town of Tsadachristian located on the suburbs of the capital city of Asmara. The hospital data of the affected town is compared with other towns of Eritrea. The result indicates agriculture reuse of untreated wastewater is a major cause for the increase in Giardasis.