Factors responsible for domestic water contamination
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Date
2001
Authors
Idika, N.
Odugbemi, T.
Ekanem, E.E.
Ogunsola, F.T.
Journal Title
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Abstract
Many deaths occurring in the developing countries are due lo waler borne diseases which arc usually associated with water related behaviour such as improper disposal of Iaccal material as well as improper storage ofwater, This study was therefore designed to identify the factors that influenced domestic water contarnination in our rural communities and recommend some intervention measures that can reduce this high morbidity and mortality due to diarrhoeal diseases in Nigeria. Water samples from the water sources serving six rural communities in three local government areas of Lagos State as well as water samples from 308 households from the six communities were collected for bac ter iclog ica l examination. Demographic and socio-economic characteristics, toilet facilities and water storage facilities available in the households were recorded in a structured questionnaire and analysed with X' and ANOVA statistical packages. Two out of the 12 ( 16.7%) water sources (both boreholes), were potable and the others were contaminated with fl!iJCill bacteria. A low percentage or households in each of the six conununities had potable drinking water. Many toilets facilities (42.9%) were situated less than IO meters away from the households. Only a few households ( 6 . l o/o ) purified their drinking water. The water source, toilet facilities and occupation of the fathers in the households had a statistically significant positive association (p<0.05) w if h the domestic water contami.iaci'cii level whereas age, level of education and overcrowding did not. The study recommends provision of less contaminated sources of water such as boreholes as a source of supply to communities and introduction of programmes that will promote hygienic practices amongst the communities.
Description
Staff publications
Keywords
Water borne diseases , Developing countries , High morbidity and mortality , Diseases , Research Subject Categories::MEDICINE::Microbiology, immunology, infectious diseases
Citation
Idika, N., Odugbemi, T., Ekanem, E.E. and Ogunsola, F.T. (2001). Factors responsible for Domestic water contamination. Journal of the Nigerian Infection Control Association, 4: 1 - 5.