Risk assessment of waterborne infections in Enugu State, Nigeria: Implications of household water choices, knowledge, and practices
This research investigated the prevalence of waterborne infections (WBIs) and the risks associated with household drinking water choices, knowledge, and practices. A cross-sectional multi-stage sampling research design was employed. A well-structured questionnaire was used to sample 403 individuals...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Book |
| Published: |
AIMS Press,
2020-09-01T00:00:00Z.
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Connect to this object online. |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Summary: | This research investigated the prevalence of waterborne infections (WBIs) and the risks associated with household drinking water choices, knowledge, and practices. A cross-sectional multi-stage sampling research design was employed. A well-structured questionnaire was used to sample 403 individuals representing 115 household; and stool samples collected and subjected to standard parasitic and bacterial diagnostic methods. From the 403 samples, 344 (85.4%) were positive for at least one waterborne pathogen of nine isolates: <em>E. coli</em> (38.0%), <em>Giardia lamblia</em> (35.2%), <em>E. histolytica</em> (33.0%), <em>Salmonella typhi</em> (19.9%),<em> Proteus spp.</em> (13.2%), <em>Shigella dysentery</em> (9.4%), <em>Klebsiella</em> spp. (7.4%), <em>Enterobacter</em> spp. (5.5%), and <em>Cryptosporidium</em> spp. (5.2%). Prevalence of WBIs was >75% in all age groups, but decreased with age. Prevalence of WBIs was >80% in all communities. Risk was not biased by gender. Odds of infection from public well (OR = 2.487; CI<sub>95</sub>: 1.296-4.774) and borehole/vendor (OR = 2.175; CI<sub>95</sub>: 1.231-3.843) users was over two times greater than non-users. Risk of WBDs was significantly reduced by 60% in sachet water drinkers (OR = 0.392; CI<sub>95</sub>: 0.217-0.709; p < 0.05). Surprisingly, river/stream water users had a significant reduced risk of WBDs than non-users (OR = 0.335; CI<sub>95</sub>: 0.150-0.749; p < 0.05). Poor hygiene was the most important determinant of WBIs; poor sanitary practice increased odds of WBIs by 400% (OR = 4.945; CI<sub>95</sub>: 2.358-10.371; p < 0.05). This study shows that most household water choices are vulnerable to contamination at many points in their journey from source to mouth; and advocates adequate provision of safe water, "point of use" household water treatment, and good storage methods to effectively curb WBIs. |
|---|---|
| Item Description: | 10.3934/publichealth.2020050 2327-8994 |