Microbiological contamination of improved water sources, Mozambique

Objective To assess if water from improved sources are microbiologically safe in Niassa province, Mozambique, by examining the presence of total coliforms in different types of water sources. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional household survey in two rural districts of Niassa province during the dry season, from 21 August to 4 October 2019. We observed water sources and conducted microbiological water quality tests and structured household interviews. Findings We included 1313 households, of which 812 (61.8%) used water from an improved source. There was no significant difference in presence of total coliforms between water sampled at improved and unimproved water sources, 62.7% (509 samples) and 65.7% (329 samples), respectively (P-value=0.267). Households using improved water sources spent significantly longer time collecting water (59.1 minutes; standard deviation, SD: 55.2) than households using unimproved sources (49.8 minutes; SD: 58.0; P-value <0.001). A smaller proportion of households using improved sources had access to water sources available 24 hours per day than that of households using unimproved sources, 71.7% (582 households) versus 94.2% (472 households; P-value <0.001). Of the 240 households treating water collected from improved sources, 204 (85.4%) had total coliforms in their water, while treated water from 77 of 107 (72.0%) households collecting water from an unimproved source were contaminated. Conclusion Current access to an improved water source does not ensure microbiological safety of water and thereby using access as the proxy indicator for safe drinking and cooking water is questionable. Poor quality of water calls for the need for integration of water quality assessment into regular monitoring programmes.

Assessment of the relationship between water insecurity, hygiene practices, and incidence of diarrhea among children from rural households of the Menoua Division, West Cameroon

The objectives of a cross-sectional, semi-quantitative study were to: i) assess the prevalence of water insecurity and its association with water access-related behaviors such as time, distance, and sources of water; ii) identify major themes of concern raised in reference to anxiety, water quality/quantity, and perceived health risk domains of water insecurity, and; iii) examine the relationship between water insecurity, hygiene practices, and diarrhea lincidence among children in rural areas of the Menoua Division in the Western Region of Cameroon In-person interviews were conducted with 18 years or older women living with at least one child between 2 and 5 years old (n=134). Participants spent on average 17±12 minutes walking to a drinking water source. Prevalence of water insecurity was 58%, and it was associated with a lower hygiene score among caretakers, i.e., hygiene score of water secure: 9.2±1.2 vs. insecure: 8.2±2.2, F(1, 132)=8.096, P<0.01). Overall, the incidence of diarrhea among children was 18%, and it was significantly higher among water insecure house-holds (79%) compared with secure house-holds (21%, P=0.02). In conclusion, access to improved sources of water is an issue in rural areas. Addressing water insecurity is critical in promoting optimal health and development of children due to its association with poor hygiene practices among caretakers

Groundwater quality assessment in a University Sub-Urban Community in Delta State, Nigeria: part a-physicochemical analysis

Abstract: This study provides detailed scientific information on the physicochemical properties of drinking water from groundwater in a Nigerian university sub-urban community. Water samples from boreholes (BHs) and handdrawn wells (HDWs) in the community were collected and analyzed for their biological and physicochemical parameters, and the metals from July 2016 to January 2017 for wet and dry seasons. Results obtained, showed that the physicochemical factors complied with the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, except for pH being lower in some locations. In the wet and dry seasons, pH varied from 4.4 to 6.2 and from 4.8 to 6.7 respectively. While the mean value for wet season was 5.7, dry season was 5.9; to give a seasonal mean difference of 0.2.Cd and Pb, in both wells, for many locations, were slightly higher than the prescribed limits. The slight elevated concentrations of Pb and Cd could be attributed to oil exploration activities in the study area. The study recommends the provision of improved drinking water in the community

Cholera outbreak caused by drinking lakeshore water contaminated by feces washed down from a hill-side residential area: Kaiso Village, Uganda

Introduction: cholera is a bacterial diarrheal disease caused by Vibrio cholerae. On 15 October 2015, a cholera outbreak involving dozens of cases and 2 deaths was reported in Kaiso, a lakeshore fishing village. The district health department responded by setting up a treatment center and sensitizing the community. Despite initial response, the outbreak persisted, prompting a detailed epidemiological investigation to identify the source and mode of transmission and recommend evidence-based interventions to stop the epidemic.Methods: we defined a suspected case as onset of acute watery diarrhoea in a Kaiso Village resident from 1st October 2015 onward; a confirmed case was a suspected case with Vibrio cholerae isolated from stool. We performed descriptive epidemiology to generate a hypothesis, and conducted a case-control study to compare exposure histories of 61 cases and 126 controls randomly selected among village residents (age ≥ 4 years in both groups). We conducted environmental assessment and obtained meteorological data from a local weather station.Results: 123 suspected cases (2 deaths) were line-listed at the village's cholera clinic. The initial 2 deceased cases had onset on 2nd and 10th October. Heavy rainfall occurred during 7­11th October, setting in a point-source outbreak which started on 12th and peaked on 13th October. Three water collection points (WCP) A, B and C were associated with the outbreak. 9.8% (6/61) of case-persons and 31% (39/126) of control-persons usually collected water from WCP A. In comparison, 21% (13/61) of case-persons and 37% (46/126) of control-persons usually collected water from WCP B (OR = 1.8, 95%CI: 0.64-5.3) and 69% (42/61) of case-persons and 33% (41/126) of control-persons from WCP C (OR = 6.7; 95%CI = 2.5-17). 100% (61/61) of case-persons and 93% (117/126) of control-persons never treated/boiled drinking water (OR = ∞, 95%CIFisher = 1.0-∞). A gully channel from a hillside open defecation area washed down feces to the lakeshore at WCP C.Conclusion: this outbreak was caused by drinking lakeshore water contaminated by feces washed down a gully from the village. We recommended water boiling and treatment, fixing the broken piped-water system, and constructing latrines. The outbreak was stopped by implementing treatment and boiling of drinking water at household level

Relation entre pollution des eaux de sources; forages et maladies hydriques enregistrees au Centre Hospitalier Dominicain Saint Martin de Porres (CHDSMP) du quartier Mvog-Betsi a Yaounde

OBJECTIFS : Mesurer les indices de contamination bacteriologique de l'eau des sources et forages de Mvog-Betsi; et rechercher une relation entre ces indices et le nombre de maladies hydriques enregistrees au Centre Hospitalier Dominicain Saint Martin de Porres (CHDSMP) de ce quartier de Yaounde. MeTHODES Il s'agit d'une etude retrospective et prospective; basee d'une part sur les statistiques des maladies hydriques enregistrees au CHDSMP; et d'autre part sur l'analyse bacteriologique de l'eau des sources et forages consommees par la population. Nous avons utilise la technique de Presence-Absence puis le denombrement apres inondation sur gelose specifique pour la culture des bacteries. L'identification bacterienne a ete faite par la galerie RapIDTM ONE. ReSULTATS Nous avons constate que presque tous les habitants de Mvog Betsi buvaient de l'eau issue des puits ou des sources ou des forages. D'autre part; les eaux de sources et de forages de Mvog-Betsi etaient toutes polluees. En effet; le denombrement des Escherichia coli; indice de pollution fecale dans toutes les eaux; a ete anormal; ce qui revele un probable danger pour la sante. Les statistiques des maladies hydriques enregistrees en 2012 au CHDSMP montrent que 1752 habitants de Mvog Betsi ont souffert de ces maladies contre 2576 qui avaient d'autres pathologies. Au premier trimestre 2013; il ya eu 272 cas de maladies hydriques sur un total de 766 habitants de Mvog-Betsi venues consulter. CONCLUSION Il y a une relation claire entre la pollution des eaux de source; forages et les maladies hydriques enregistrees au CHDSMP du quartier Mvog-Betsi

Determinants of Diarrhea among young Children Under the Age of Five in Kenya; Evidence from KDHS 2008-09

This paper examines the relative contribution of household; demographic and maternal characteristics to the incidence of diarrhea in young Kenyan children. Data from the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2008- 09 was used with a total of 3838 women included in the study. The measure of diarrhea in children was derived from woman's questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis showed that age of child [AOR; 0.796; 95 CI; 0.559-1.134] and residence of mother [AOR; 0.538; 95CI; 0.324-0.895] are more likely to influence childhood diarrhea. Higher education level of mother was associated with lower incidence of childhood diarrhea [AOR; 0.187; 95 CI; 0.609-0.573]. Household characteristics that had statistically significant influence on childhood diarrhea included sources of drinking water [AOR; 1.644; 95 CI; 1.040-2.599] and household size [AOR; 1.334; 95 CI; 1.000-1.780]. This paper emphasizes the importance of mothers being literate and access to good quality drinking water sources in reducing childhood diarrhea. 0850-5780

Microbiological Analysis of Sachet Drinking Water Marketed at Two Sites in Aliero; Kebbi State; Nigeria

Sachet drinking water; often called as 'pure water' is generally accepted safe for consumption. Ten brands of sachet water are mainly marketed at Kebbi State University of Science et Technology (KSUST) campus and Onion Market of Aliero (AOM). Seven of these are NAFDAC registered. Bacteriological analysis of 50 samples of each of the sachet drinking water samples was carried out to determine the potability of the sampled water. Standard conventional methods were employed for the detection of coliforms (viable count; presumptive coliform count by multiple tube method and confirm coliforms count) and other bacteria. Biochemical analysis as well as microscopic examination was performed for sediments and other debris and/or bacteria; protozoa and other fungal hyphae. Bacteriological analysis of the samples from both sites revealed the presence of pathogens (log 10cfu/ml) viz. Shigella spp. (3.41; 3.31); Salmonella spp. (2.10; 2.05); Staphylococcus aureus (5.04; 5.09); Streptococcus spp. (4.76; 4.80); Bacillus spp. (5.12; 5.10); E. coli (2.0; 1.93) and Yeasts (3.13; 4.00). Most of the sachet water brands fell below WHO drinking water standards and are therefore; of doubtful quality. Out of the ten brand samples tested; four samples showed the presence of contamination in the form of high number of coliforms and occurrence of intestinal pathogens.This indicates that the 'pure water' available in the University campus and Onion market are unfit for human consumption due to their inability to meet up with NAFDAC (2010) and WHO (2011) standard. Efforts need to be intensified in the monitoring of activities in this rapidly expanding industry with a view to raising standards

Microbiological Assessment of Opened Soft Drink Bottles for Pathogenic Bacteria Associated with Drinking Directly from the Orifice

Four types of carbonated soft drinks encoded as A; B; C and D; and bottled and sealed water E (used as control) were bought from a student restaurant in the Rivers State University of Science and Technology; Port Harcourt Nigeria. The area of the orifice and neck of the bottles usually placed in the mouth while drinking directly from the bottles was analyzed in triplicates for the impinging bacterial species. Of the eighty-three morphologically identified aerobic isolates the percent frequency of occurrence was: Staphylococcus aureus (38.4); Bacillus and other gram-positive rods (36.0); Enterococcus sp (12.0); Micrococcus spp (8.4each); and Proteus and Pseudomonas spp (2.4each). The Standard Plate Count expressed as the Colony Forming Units (CFU) indicated a range of 5.3 x 10 3 to 2.6.0 x 10 4 CFU ml-1 of the rinsate of the orifice and neck of the soft-drink bottles. The preponderance of the indicator organisms: Coagulase positive S. aureus and the Enterococci sp is used to infer the presence of potentially pathogenic bacteria. The need for public health enlightenment on the packaging and safe conduits for the distribution of soft drinks was discussed

Parasites associated with sachet drinking water (Pure Water) in Awka; South-Eastern; Nigeria

A study to ascertain the parasites associated with sachet drinking water, (popularly called "Pure Water" in Nigeria), in Awka, capital of Anambra State, southeast Nigeria was conducted. This was in order to determine the safety and suitability of such water for human consumption. Sachet water is a major source of drinking water for low and middle class Nigerians. The increase in demand of this water has led to the proliferation of industries in this sector, because of the economic benefits derivable from the sale. Samples of differently packaged sachet drinking water were purchased from producers, distributors, marketers and hawkers. Samples were observed macroscopically and pH tested. Using a sterile syringe, 10mls of water was taken from each sample and centrifuged at 2,500rpm per minute. Sediments observed were placed on a glass slide and observed microscopically using x10 and x40 objective lens for a possible parasite ova or cyst. The surface of each sachet of the packaged drinking water was also washed thoroughly and the resulting water was centrifuged and observed microscopically. All the tested water samples met the W.H.O. recommended standard, of being colorless, tasteless, odourless with average pH of 6.93. No parasites were found in the water in the sachets but some parasites were found on the surfaces of the sachets. The surface of the sachets of the packaged water purchased from hawkers had the highest number of parasites {15 (41.7%)}. Identified parasites include cysts of Ascaris lumbricoides (5.6%), Entamoeba histolytica (4.6%), hookworm (2.8), Trichuris trichuria (2.8%) and Giardia lamblia cysts (1.9%). Hawkers possibly play a very significant role (χ2 = 20.21, df =2, p<0.05) in the transmission of parasitic infection from the outside of the sachets through improper handling. It is advocated among others that cleaning and washing of sachets of packaged drinking water before use will aid in breaking the transmission circle

Report of the workshop on fluoride and its implication on health

The objective of the study was to investigate the prevalence of flourides and nitrates in the rural water supply of two districts (Gokwe and Chimanimani) of Zimbabwe and to determine the causes and implications of the findings. The findings of the research revealed the existence of the problem of high fluoride levels in drinking water and prevalence of fluorosis in the two districts. As a result of these findings permission was saught (and granted) from the sponsors; International Development Research Centre as well as the Ministry of Health to have a Workshop on the Fluoride and Flourosis component of the study