Assessment of Enteropathogenic Count and Biochemical Alterations in Early Childhood Diarrhoea in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria: Implications for Public Health
Abbiyesuku, Sukuba
Department of Public Health, Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Okwelle, Austin Achinike
Department of Microbiology, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Owo, Gogo James *
Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Childhood diarrhoeal disease remains a significant public health challenge, particularly in riverine communities where limited access to safe water, inadequate sanitation, and poor hygiene practices increase exposure to enteric pathogens and associated complications.
Aim: This study assessed the enteric bacterial pathogen burden and biochemical alterations associated with childhood diarrhoea in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria, and evaluated their public health implications.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 250 children under five years of age attending selected community health centres in Andoni Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria. Stool samples from children with diarrhoea were examined using standard microbiological procedures to isolate and identify enteric bacterial pathogens, while serum samples were analysed for electrolyte (sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate) and zinc concentrations using established biochemical methods. Biochemical parameters were compared between 29 children with diarrhoeal disease and 30 apparently healthy children who served as the control group. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 25.0, and statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results: Among the 250 children assessed, 29 presented with diarrhoeal disease, giving a prevalence of 11.6%. Four major enteric bacterial pathogens were isolated from diarrhoeal stool samples, including Escherichia coli (44.8%), Shigella spp. (23.1%), Salmonella spp. (20.7%), and Vibrio cholerae (10.4%). The highest mean bacterial count was observed in E. coli (4.9 × 10⁶ ± 0.6 × 10⁶ cfu/g), followed by Salmonella spp. (3.9 × 10⁶ ± 0.4 × 10⁶ cfu/g), V. cholerae (3.4 × 10⁶ ± 0.3 × 10⁶ cfu/g), and Shigella spp. (3.1 × 10⁶ ± 0.5 × 10⁶ cfu/g). Children with diarrhoeal disease had significantly lower serum sodium, chloride, bicarbonate, and zinc concentrations than controls (p < 0.05). Serum potassium was also significantly lower in children with diarrhoea than in controls (p = 0.002).
Conclusion: Childhood diarrhoeal disease in Andoni Local Government Area was associated with substantial enteric bacterial burden and significant alterations in serum biochemical parameters among under-five-year-old children. These findings highlight the need for improved water quality, sanitation, hygiene practices, and timely clinical management to reduce diarrhoeal morbidity and associated biochemical disturbances.
Keywords: Childhood diarrhoea, enteric bacterial pathogens, Enteropathogenic count, serum electrolytes, Zinc status, under-five children, water, sanitation and hygiene