Effectiveness of the new water source intervention in reducing diarrheal diseases in Ghindae community, Eritrea

Abstract

Background: Diarrheal diseases are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries particularly in children. In Ghindae, a town 45 km from Asmara the capital city of Eritrea, diarrheal diseases were the commonest disease among all age groups. Based on findings from operational research, the old water supply of the town was believed to be the main source of the disease. A new water supply system was built for the community. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the new water supply system intervention in reducing diarrheal diseases in Ghindae community. Methods: Retrospective study was done base on the records of the Hospital. Results: The incidence of diarrhea decreased by 15% after the introduction of a new water distribution system. The decrease was 44% for giardiasis and 25% for amoebiasis. There was no change in the bloody diarrhea disease burden. Conclusion: The incidence of diarrhea was still unacceptably high in spite of the revamping of the water system, an observation which calls upon other contributory factors such as point use contamination and socio-economic status.