Analysis of the quality of the water and affectation on the health of the inhabitants of Guamachito, Colombia

Abstract

Background: The study focuses on the evidence of the relationship between water quality and the health of populations. Colombia, a country with high levels of economic, social, and environmental vulnerability, does not have a population that has full access to drinking water. The study analyzes this relationship in Guamachito, Zona Bananera, Colombia.
Objective: Analyze the water quality and the effect on the health of the population of Guamachito, Zona Bananera, Colombia.
Method: Cross-sectional quantitative study, which was carried out in phases: First, an analysis of secondary data was carried out through a review of the web pages of the government institutions of public health in the region and the country; subsequently, a survey was applied to contrast the results of the documentary review to 450 inhabitants of Guamachito, Colombia, corresponding to members of a rural educational institution in the municipality, with 24 teachers and 426 students.
Results: The results suggest that the microbiological characteristics are above the reference limits, as well as poor procedures for collecting and cleaning water in the houses, likewise, high rates of water-borne diseases are identified.
Conclusion: It is inferred that there is an incidence of water quality on the health of the inhabitants of the Guamachito municipality.