Assessment Of Knowledge And Hygeinic Practices Towards Bacteriological Quality Of Drinking Water At Dobe Toga Kebele, Shebedino Woreda, SNNPR
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Date
2007-08
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: Drinking Water becomes contaminated with faecal matter due to inadequate
protection of the source, unhygienic practices of the community at the source and household level
Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of knowledge and hygienic
practices of the community on bacteriological quality of drinking water at the source and
point of use
Methods: A community- based cross-sectional study was conducted using intervieweradministered
questionnaire, inspection check list to observe the condition of water sources,
and bacteriological water quality examination of sources and household containers. The study
was conducted during August 2006-June 2007 in Dobe Toga kebele of Shebedino wereda.
SNNPR. Four hundred twenty households were selected using systematic random sampling
method to assess the knowledge and hygienic practices of the community and gathered by
health extension worker under strict supervision of principal investigator and supervisors.
Bacteriological examination of six protected springs and eighty four systematically selected
household containers was carried out by using Oxfam DelAgua water testing kit.
Results: Almost all of the springs were subjected to contamination of faecal coliform with
high sanitary risk score. There is a significant variation between the bacteriological analysis
of source water and household drinking water with a mean of 10.3 and 32.1CFU/ 100 ml of
water samples respectively. Educational status was the only variables which was significant
after adjustment of other socio demographic, Knowledge and practices variables [AOR: 6.64,
95% CI=1.028-42.927). However other variables like: types of household containers, washing
of containers before transferring, methods of water withdrawal, duration of stored water and
cover of container during transportation and storage were significant in bivariate analysis but
not in multivariate analysis. This may be due to confounding effects of different variables
Conclusion and Recommendation: Protected springs with high sanitary risk score were
highly subjected to bacteriological contamination and its load of feacal coliform almost
tripled at household level, because of poor household management system. Proper protection
of water sources, regular monitoring of water quality and hygiene education on water and
sanitation, are very important strategies to improve the bacteriological water quality.
Key words: Knowledge, practice and bacteriological contamination
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Keywords
Knowledge, practice, Bacteriological contamination