Abstract

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Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) contributes significantly to the burden of illness from infectious diseases worldwide especially in developing countries. This study aims to determine the spatial pattern of AGE and isolate Enterobacteria from domestic water in Ile-Ife, a peri-urban community. The medical records of AGE cases between 2008-2012 with due ethical approval from a tertiary hospital in Ile-Ife were reviewed. Using a global positioning system (GPS), the coordinates of the residential addresses retrieved from the records were determined. One hundred residential houses were randomly selected, data on sources of water supply and sewage disposal systems were obtained. The microbial count and identification of the bacterial isolates cultured from the water samples collected were done. A total of 373 AGE cases were recorded in 21 administrative units (wards) within the study period. The occurrence of AGE was observed to increase as the year progresses and 6 (28.6%) of the AGE burden hotspots were identified. All the water samples analysed contained bacterial coliforms above the permissible level. Two hundred and one bacterial isolates were identified with the frequency of the isolates as follows: Shigella spp (19.9%), Serratia spp (13.4%), Aeromonas spp (10.5%), E. coli, Salmonella spp, Klebsiella spp (10%), and other Enterobacteria (26.2%). The spatial pattern and AGE burden hotspots identified could assist in the early detection of AGE outbreaks and intervention. This study shows the wide distribution of enteric bacteria in the water sources and suggests water treatment at the point of use to forestall AGE outbreaks in the community.

Keywords: Acute gastroenteritis, Enterobacteria, Hotspots, Spatial pattern, Water