An Evaluation of the Bacteriological Quality of Water Consumed by the Inhabitants of Some Rural Areas of Lagos State

Abstract

Water as a route of transmission of waterborne diseases is recognized worldwide, especially among the poorer urban and rural households because of the uneven distribution of potable water supply. Communities without potable water supply depend on traditional sources which have often been reported to be contaminated with faecal coliforms. Efforts to reduce the wide effects that poor quality water has on the health and survival of children and women through monitoring and evaluation informed this study. Twelve water sources serving six communities in three local government areas (LGAs) in Lagos state and a total of 308 households' water samples were evaluated using the most probable number method. Water purification methods practiced by the inhabitants were documented. The disease patterns of children under 5 years in the preceding year were obtained from the health statistics office of each LGA. Ten out of twelve water sources tested (83.3%) were contaminated with faecal bacteria. The two potable water sources were bore holes. Most households (93.5%) in the study area did not purify their water. A positive association was established between water quality and the proportionate morbidity ratio for diarrhoeal diseases in the different LGAs studied. The study recommends the provision of boreholes in rural areas. Health education on improving domestic and personal hygiene should be intensified.

KEY WORDS: Evaluation, water quality, rural, bacterial pathogens.

Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences Vol.4(1) 2005: 61-66