Background And Objective: Access to safe drinking water remains a major public health challenge in many Nigerian communities. Sachet-packaged water, commonly called "pure water," has become the primary drinking water source for millions of Nigerians who cannot rely on municipal tap water. Despite its widespread use, concerns about the microbiological safety of sachet water is well documented. This study assessed the bacteriological quality of sachet-packaged water brands sold in Nibo, a semi-urban community in Anambra State, Nigeria, and to determine whether these products meet World Health Organization drinking water standards. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive design was used in the study. Twelve commonly consumed sachet water brands were purposively sampled from vendors in Nibo between April to September 2025. Samples were transported under sterile conditions to the laboratory and analysed using standard microbiological methods, including total bacterial count on nutrient agar, total coliform count on eosin methylene blue agar, and biochemical identification of bacterial isolates. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, means, medians, standard deviations) and one-sample t-tests with 95% wilson confidence intervals. Results: From the 12 brands tested, 7 (58.3%) showed no bacterial growth and met WHO safety standards. However, 5 brands (41.7%) were contaminated. Among contaminated samples, total bacterial counts ranged from 30 to 110 CFU/mL (mean: 68 CFU/mL), and total coliform counts ranged from 10 to 50 CFU/mL (mean: 24 CFU/mL). Two samples (16.7%) tested positive for Escherichia coli, confirming faecal contamination. Identified bacterial species included Staphylococcus aureus (16.7%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (16.7%), Proteus mirabilis (16.7%), Citrobacter freundii (16.7%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (8.3%), Escherichia coli (8.3%), Shigella flexneri (8.3%), and Enterobacter aerogenes (8.3%). Conclusion and Implications for Translation: Although the majority of sachet water brands tested were safe, a substantial proportion (41.7%) contained bacteria that pose health risks, including faecal indicator organisms and opportunistic pathogens. Mean total bacterial count (68±32CFU/mL) and coliform count (24±17CFU/mL) was significantly above the acceptable limit at (p<0.05). People who drink these contaminated products, particularly children, elderly individuals, and immunocompromised persons, face preventable risks of diarrhoeal and other infections. Regulators should increase unannounced inspections and enforce penalties for violations. Producers must improve hygiene practices, including regular equipment cleaning and water testing. Public health awareness campaigns should help consumers identify safer brands. Future research studies are to be conducted larger sample sizes, seasonal sampling, and antimicrobial resistance testing.

Background: Access to safe drinking water remains a critical challenge in rural Nigeria, where contaminated well water contributes to waterborne diseases. This study assessed the physicochemical properties and heavy metal concentrations of well water in Isuofia, Aguata Local Government Area, Anambra State, to evaluate its suitability for human consumption and inform water management strategies. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study sampled 12 wells randomly across six villages during the dry season. Parameters including pH, temperature, total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), and heavy metals (chromium, copper, mercury, iron, lead) were analyzed using calibrated multi-parameter instruments and atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Data were compared to WHO and NSDWQ standards using Pearson’s correlation. Results: Findings revealed alkaline pH (8.0–10.6, mean 9.42 ± 0.76; 75% exceeding 6.5–8.5), high TDS (0.47–7.78 g/L, mean 2.16 ± 1.92 g/L; 83.3% exceeding 1.0 g/L), elevated temperatures (32.0–38.5°C, mean 34.92 ± 1.94°C), and EC (0.005–0.118 µS/cm, below 1000 µS/cm). Lead (83.3%), mercury (75%), and copper (58.3%) exceeded WHO limits, while chromium and iron were within safe levels. Discussion and Implications: Exceedances, likely from agricultural runoff, waste disposal, and geological factors, pose risks of neurological and gastrointestinal issues, particularly for children. Conclusion: These findings confirm hypotheses on TDS, EC, and heavy metal exceedances, underscoring the urgent need for regular monitoring, point-of-use filtration, public awareness, and infrastructure upgrades to ensure safe drinking water and support sustainable water management in rural Nigeria.

Background: Water pollution poses a significant threat to public health globally, with negligent disposal of industrial effluents and waste contributing to water quality degradation, particularly in metropolitan regions like Umudim Nnewi, Nigeria. Aim: To evaluate the physicochemical parameters (Total Dissolved Solids, pH, Temperature, and Electrical Conductivity) of rivers surrounding the industrial estate in Umudim Nnewi. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional quantitative study employed convenience sampling, collecting water samples from five rivers. Measurements were taken using a Four Parameter water quality analyzer to determine Total Dissolved Solids, pH, Temperature, and Electrical Conductivity. Descriptive statistics summarized the data, and paired sample t-tests analyzed the results (α = 0.05). Results: Total Dissolved Solids ranged from 9.50-59.50 mg/L, pH from 4.10-5.65, Temperature from 27.45°C-28.70°C, and Electrical Conductivity from 51.67 µS/cm. Physicochemical parameters significantly deviated from World Health Organization standards (p < 0.05), with pH showing the most significant variation. Conclusion: This study highlights the significant variation in physicochemical parameters, emphasizing the need for effective wastewater management and pollution control measures to protect public health and the environment.

ABSTRACT Background and Aim(s) This study retrospectively assessed the prevalence of TB and HIV/AIDS co-infection among patients that attended the Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (DOTS) centers in Anambra State, Southeast, Nigeria, between 2013 and 2017. Methods The study adopted a descriptive and retrospective epidemiological survey design. A total of 1443 case files of patients aged 15 to 60 who were treated in DOTS centers selected from Anambra State’s 21 Local Government Areas between 2013 and 2017 were investigated. The uniform data form, a standardized instrument used in Anambra State’s health facilities for data collection, was used to collect data from case files of all those identified as co-infected with TB and HIV/AIDS. Results The mean prevalence rate of TB and HIV/AIDS co-infection in the state during the five-year period (2013–2017) was 20%. The highest annual prevalence of TB and HIV/AIDS co-infection was recorded in 2014 (23.84%). The state’s prevalence of TB and HIV/AIDS co-infection increased dramatically from 13.17% in 2013 to 23.84% in 2014, followed by a slight downward trend to 22.80% in 2015, 20.17% in 2016, and 20.03% in 2017. In terms of gender, age, marital status, and occupation, females (59.5%), those aged 15 to 25 years (30.7%), married people (43.9%), and traders/business owners (50.7%), respectively, had the highest rates of tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS co-infection during the study period. Conclusion The findings of this study show that young people, females, married people, and traders/business owners appear to be the most vulnerable groups affected by TB and HIV/AIDS co-infection, accounting for the majority of the disease burden in the state. To address the high prevalence of TB and HIV/AIDS co-infection in the Anambra State, novel intervention and control programs should be developed and implemented, and existing intervention frameworks should be strengthened.

Background and Aims: Tuberculosis (TB) and HIV/AIDS have become major public health problems in many countries, including Nigeria. A serious concern is that the TB situation in Nigeria has been worsened by the prevalence of HIV and AIDS. The condition has given rise to a new epidemic of TB and HIV/AIDS coinfection, a combination of two lethal diseases already occurring in epidemic proportions. Aim: This study retrospectively assessed the prevalence of TB and HIV/AIDS co-infection among patients that attended the Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (DOTS) centers in Anambra State, Southeast, Nigeria, between 2013 and 2017. Methods: The study adopted a descriptive and retrospective epidemiological survey design. A total of 1443 case files of patients aged 15 to 60 who were treated in DOTS centers selected from Anambra State's 21 Local Government Areas between 2013 and 2017 were investigated. The uniform data form, a standardized instrument used in Anambra State's health facilities for data collection, was used to collect data from case files of all those identified as co-infected with TB and HIV/AIDS. Results: The mean prevalence rate of TB and HIV/AIDS co-infection in the state during the five-year period (2013-2017) was 20%. The highest annual prevalence of TB and HIV/AIDS co-infection was recorded in 2014 (23.84%). The state's prevalence of TB and HIV/AIDS co-infection increased dramatically from 13.17% in 2013 to 23.84% in 2014, followed by a slight downward trend to 22.80% in 2015, 20.17% in 2016, and 20.03% in 2017. The annual prevalence rate of TB and HIV/AIDS co-infection was significantly different (p<0.05) over the five-year period. However, there was no statistical difference in the annual prevalence rate between 2014 and 2017 (p>0.05). In terms of gender, age, marital status, and occupation, females (59.5%), those aged 15 to 25 years (30.7%), married people (43.9%), and traders/business owners (50.7%), respectively, had the highest rates of tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS co-infection during the study period. Conclusion: The findings of this study show that young people, females, married people, and traders/business owners appear to be the most vulnerable groups affected by TB and HIV/AIDS co-infection. This accounts for the vast majority of the disease burden in Anambra State, Southeast, Nigeria. To address the high prevalence of TB and HIV/AIDS co-infection in Anambra State, novel intervention and control programs should be developed and implemented. Existing interventions should be strengthened to achieve more robust and effective preventive measures to address the state's high prevalence of TB and HIV/AIDS co-infection rates.

Biomass fuels are used by a large proportion of households in most developing countries, including Nigeria, because they are readily available or relatively inexpensive. The purpose of this study was to determine how socioeconomic factors influence the use of biomass cooking fuels in Nigeria's Enugu State. The survey was cross-sectional, and multistage sampling was used. The samples included 502 respondents from 232 households in 6 of Enugu State's 17 Local Government Areas. The sample size was calculated using Fisher's formula. A structured questionnaire was distributed to the respondents, and observations were made. To arrive at results, data was collected and analyzed using SPSS version 21.0. According to the study, 94% of respondents use biomass fuels, with 73% using unprocessed wood. Only 6% of them use fossil fuels. Ninety-one percent (91%) of households earn less than N61,000 per month on average, with only about 1% earning more than N90,000 per month. It was also discovered that 88% of respondents had no more than a secondary school education, and 75% lived in rural areas. This study found a high level of poverty and a low level of education among the study population in Enugu State, which translates to a high use of biomass fuels, particularly unprocessed wood (firewood). The study's findings confirm that socioeconomic factors such as household income level, educational status, and so on influence greater use of biomass fuels when they are readily available and at little or no cost to the people.

The majority of Nigerians lack access to a safe drinking water source, making sustainable and equitable access to safe drinking water a challenge. The current study was designed to evaluate the physicochemical quality of drinking water from various sources in 24 randomly selected communities throughout Abia State, Nigeria. These communities were selected from 8 Local Government Areas within the 3 senatorial zones of Abia State. Using sterile universal containers, water samples were collected from the major drinking water sources in the selected communities. On-site evaluation of the pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS) and temperature of the water samples was carried out using a HI9813-6 pH/EC/TDS/Temperature meter. The pH values of the water samples from all sampled communities ranged between 4.1 and 5.9, and the acidic pH levels of the water samples were not within the Nigerian Industrial Standard's (NIS) approved range of 6.5 - 8.5. Furthermore, the water sources in the selected communities were found to have ambient temperatures ranging from 25.8 - 31.8oC. The average electrical conductivity (0.04 µS/cm) and total dissolved solids (36.4 mg/L) of water samples from all senatorial zones studied were both within acceptable limits of 1000 µS/cm and 500 mg/L respectively. Although the other parameters (temperature, EC and TDS) evaluated in this study were within acceptable limits for drinking water physicochemical quality, this study emphasizes the importance of effective water treatment, safe distribution to households, and continuous monitoring and quality assessment of drinking water sources in Nigeria.

An experimental study was carried to test the performance of floating and flexible domestic biogas.Biogas is described as a renewable fuel produced from treatment of waste product.It is rich in methane produced from the fermentation of animal dung, human sewage or crop residues in an air-tight container (digester).The objective of this study was to evaluate the functional and serviceability of the installed domestic biogas in terms of actual feeding versus actual gas production.The laboratory test was carried out at the biotechnology departmental laboratory in Federal University of Technology Owerri.A 90kg of cow dung was weighed with chemical balance and the loading was done in the ratio of 1:1.5 unit volume bases.The domestic biogas parameters were assessed for the performance of the biogas production such as temperature, pH value, ambient temperature and volume of gas produced.The result of this study was recorded between 26 to 31ºC for slurry temperature and 30 to 36ºC for ambient temperature of atmosphere.The PH value of slurry in the floating type was 8.0, 8.1 for flexible type biogas digester and 7.5 was for fresh prepared one.The volume of the domestic biogas produced was 0.06cm3.In this study, the production of domestic biogas was dependent on the following parameter; temperature, pH, solid and ambient temperature.The rate of domestic biogas production was faster at every fresh loaded of cow dung into the digesters.The recommendation in this research study, was to encourage people both rural and urban areas to embrace this technology of waste management.