ASSESSMENT OF WATERBORNE PARASITES IN DRINKING WATER SOURCES IN IRAQ

Background and Aim:Waterborne parasites present substantial health hazards, hence requiring extensive research efforts to ascertain their prevalence and spatial dispersion. The objective of this study is to examine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp., Entamoeba histolytica, and Giardia lamblia in samples of river and municipal water collected from various geographical areas. The main objective of this study is to evaluate and contrast the occurrence of waterborne parasites in various drinking water sources, thereby offering valuable insights into spatial disparities and facilitating the development of focused strategies for managing water quality. Materials and Methods:Water samples were obtained from four distinct geographical areas, namely Al-Awja, Amarah, Tikrit, and Sultan Abdullah, which encompass both river and urban water sources. The detection of parasites was carried out utilizing established protocols. Results: Among the many water samples collected from rivers, it was observed that Al-Awja demonstrated the greatest overall prevalence rate of 53.33%. Notably, the municipal water in Al-Awja and Amarah exhibited considerable rates of 17.77% and 4.44% respectively. The major species observed were Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia lamblia. There was a positive correlation observed between parasite prevalence and seasons in both river water samples (0.019567) and city water samples (0.023613). The correlation coefficient of 0.987524 indicates that the observed relationship may lack statistical significance between Parasites prevalence and sources of water. Conclusion: Waterborne parasites are common, highlighting the need for tailored water quality control. The increased frequency in certain locations emphasises the need for public health surveillance and informed responses. This research advances our understanding of waterborne parasite spatial dynamics, guiding water safety and community health measures.