Influencing factors for household water quality improvement in reducing diarrhoea in resource-limited areas

ABSTRACT

Background and Objectives: Water and sanitation are major public healthissues exacerbated by rapid population growth, limited resources, disasters andenvironmental depletion. This study was undertaken to study the influencing factorsfor household water quality improvement for reducing diarrhoea in resource‑limitedareas.Materials and Methods: Data were collected from articles and reviews from relevantrandomized controlled trials, new articles, systematic reviews and meta‑analysesfrom PubMed, World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund(UNICEF) and WELL Resource Centre For Water, Sanitation And Environmental Health.Discussion: Water quality on diarrhoea prevention could be affected bycontamination during storage, collection and even at point‑of‑use. Point‑of‑use watertreatment (household‑based) is the most cost‑effective method for prevention ofdiarrhoea. Chemical disinfection, filtration, thermal disinfection, solar disinfectionand flocculation and disinfection are five most promising household water treatmentmethodologies for resource‑limited areas.Conclusion: Promoting household water treatment is most essential for preventingdiarrhoeal disease. In addition, the water should be of acceptable taste, appropriatefor emergency and non‑emergency use