Bacterial Contamination of Water Used in the Household for Domestic Purposes in Mombasa County, Kenya
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Date
2023-11
Authors
Abdallah Bakari, Bibi
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
It is essential to determine the microbial content of water since it is essential to sustain
human life. Unsafe drinking water and inadequate sanitation account for 4% of all
elobal disabilities. Due to the water scarcity experienced in developing countries,
people forced to rely on water sources of unknown quality. The United Nations
has classified Kenya a country which frequently faces water scarcity.
Approximately 56% of its citizens are able to access safe drinking water, with up to
50% of the reported illnesses being waterborne diseases. In Mombasa County, only
24% of the residents have access to safe drinking water. An acute water shortage
makes most people adopt alternative water sources whose quality is doubtful. An
average of 24% of Kisauni, Nyali and Mvita residents use unimproved water sources.
The study's objective was to determine the bacterial quality of 55 water samples,
where 35 water samples and 20 water samples collected in the household (HH)
storage containers were either from borehole water (case) or other sources (controls),
respectively. The research also determined the relationship between bacterial quality
and diarrhoeal. The association between the type of water sources and diarrhoeal
cases reported was determined. Three hundred and eighteen HHs for the cases and
one hundred and sixty four HHs for controls were interviewed to determine risk
factors that affect water quality at the HH level. Total coliform, faccal coliforms,
Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC), Salmonella and Shigella were isolated. The APHA
standards methods were adopted to analyse water and a structured questionnaire was
used 1o collect data at the HH. The study design adopted was analytical descriptive
cross sectional study. Stratified sampling and random sampling methods were used to
identify HHs which were interviewed in case and controls respectively Total
coliforms from the two groups had a combined mean of £1039.98 CFU, t =0.000.
Faecal coliforms (FC) had a combined mean of +634.74 CFU, t= 0.0006. The results
showed significant difference in TC and FC in the two groups. HPC had combined
means of +4519.66. 1=0.0891. Boreholes and other sources of water were
contaminated with Salmonella at 34.3% and 20%, respectively. None of the water
samples collected had Shigella. The study showed a significant relationship between
the microbial quality and diarrheal cases for the two groups (t=0.93, df= 53, and
1=0.006). It was also found that there was no relationship between the diarrheal
reported diarrheal cases and the type of water consumed in the houschold, t= 0.076.
Risk factors associated with water quality were water treatment, other water sources.
hand-washing with soap, water storage period, cleaning of containers, income and the
number of under-fives in households. Borehole stored water at the HH was found to
be unsafe for human consumption. Improving water quality is essential to reduce
cases of diarhhoea. Type of was consumed at the HH cannot be associated with
diahhoea cases reported in the HH. Interventions that help to improve water quality by
targeting the community, like safe drinking water storage and appropriate handling at
the HHs need to be strengthened. Water sanitation and Hygiene activities targeting the
HH need 1o be intensified. Water sampling at the HH needs to be initiated.
Description
A Research Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Public Health (Epidemiology and Disease Control) in the School of Health Sciences, Kenyatta University, November 2023
Keywords
Bacterial Contamination, Water, Household, Domestic Purposes, Mombasa County, Kenya