An Investigation Into the Relationship Between Soil Geochemistry and the Spread of Zoonotic and Vector-Borne Diseases in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Abstract The increasing prevalence of zoonotic and vector-borne diseases in Bayelsa State has been linked to changes in soil geochemistry resulting from prolonged oil exploration and exploitation activities. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of soil geochemical parameters—specifically soil pH, heavy metal concentration, and hydrocarbon residues—on the spread of zoonotic and vector-borne diseases in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. The study adopted a quantitative research design using a self-designed instrument titled Soil Geochemistry and Disease Impact Questionnaire (SGDIQ), validated through expert review and achieving a reliability coefficient of 0.80 using Cronbach’s alpha. Data were collected from a stratified random sample of 300 respondents and analysed using correlation, t-test, and regression statistics. Findings revealed a significant relationship between soil geochemical parameters and disease prevalence (r = 0.63, p < 0.05); a significant influence of oil exploration–induced alterations on vector breeding patterns (t = 5.74, p < 0.05); and a strong predictive power of soil geochemistry on disease risk (R² = 0.54, p < 0.05). The study concluded that soil geochemical instability fosters conducive conditions for disease transmission in oil-polluted areas. It is recommended that continuous geochemical monitoring be institutionalised in oil-producing zones and that soil health indicators be integrated into public health surveillance systems to mitigate future disease outbreaks. Keywords: Soil Geochemistry, Zoonotic Diseases, Vector-Borne Diseases, Oil Exploration, Bayelsa State.