PARASITIC INFECTIONS AND HEALTH IMPLICATIONS IN RECREATIONAL WATER BODIES OF RIVERS STATE.

This study investigated the physicochemical properties and parasitic contamination of five swimming pools in Rivers State, Nigeria. Water samples were collected from five selected pools. The physicochemical properties of each pool examined were; pH, Temperature, Salinity, Dissolved Oxygen, Electrical Conductivity and Total Dissolved Solid. Concentration, Sedimentation and Microscopic methods were used for the identification of parasites. Physicochemical analysis revealed that the dissolved oxygen ranged from 4.90 to 6.43 mg/L, temperature between 27.10°C and 28.10°C, pH levels from 6.22 to 7.95, electrical conductivity between 65.33 and 117.00 μS/cm, and total dissolved solids from 33.00 to 86.00 mg/L. Pool 1 showed the highest salinity (0.01ppt), with the others recording no measurable salinity. Parasitological analysis showed a total of 74 (49.3%) positive samples out of 150 samples collected from the five pools. Pool 5 had the highest Total Parasite Count (TPC) with 46 parasites. Strongyloides stercoralis and Ancylostoma duodenale necator were the most prevalent parasites, with Cryptosporidium spp. detected in Pool 2. Questionnaire responses revealed inconsistent disinfection practices, with only 60% of pool managements disinfecting daily. While 25% of pool users reported health issues post-swimming, there was low awareness about waterborne parasites, with 58.3% unaware of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. This study highlight significant public health concerns regarding swimming pool management and the need for improved disinfection protocols to mitigate parasitic infections.