A PROJECT WORK SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY, FACULTY OF CHEMICAL AND LIFE SCIENCES, USMANU DANFODIYO UNIVERSITY, SOKOTO IN PARTIAL FULLFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (B. Sc Hons) DEGREE IN BIOLOGY

Abstract

Cockroaches are widely recognized as significant mechanical vectors of intestinal parasites due to their ability to thrive in unsanitary environments and frequent contact with human habitats. This study investigated the vectorial potential of cockroaches collected from female hostels at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. A total of 35 cockroaches were sampled from three hostels, FBI, IA, and Zamfara and examined for parasitic organisms on both their external surfaces and internal gut contents. Standard parasitological procedures, including washing, centrifugation, dissection, and microscopic identification, were employed. The findings revealed that 22 (62.9%) cockroaches carried parasites on their external body surfaces, while 14 (40.0%) harbored parasites internally. Eight medically important parasite species were identified across both sites: Strongyloides stercoralis, Trichuris trichiura, Hookworm, Entamoeba histolytica, Toxocaria spp, Capillaria hepatica, Enterobius vermicularis, and Balantidium coli. The most frequently detected parasites externally were Balantidium coli and Strongyloides stercoralis (27.3% each), while Entamoeba histolytica, Hookworm, and Strongyloides stercoralis (21.4% each) were most common internally. The higher prevalence on the external surfaces indicates that cockroaches primarily function as mechanical carriers of parasite stages within the hostel environment. Overall, the study demonstrates a substantial risk of faeco-oral transmission of intestinal parasites among hostel residents due to cockroach infestation. These findings highlight the need for improved sanitation, regular fumigation, and enhanced awareness among students to reduce the public health risks associated with cockroach-borne parasitic infections.