Drinking water quality and handling practices among women in rural households of Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

Diarrheal diseases associated with inadequate supply of potable water are the leading causes of mortality among children under five years in developing countries. In Nigeria, women are the water managers in most households. However, there is dearth of information on the effect of women’s handling practices on drinking water quality. Therefore, this study was aimed at assessing the drinking water quality and handling practices among women in selected rural households in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. Paired drinking water samples from available sources and Household Storage Containers (HSC) were assessed for physico-chemical and bacteriological parameters using standard methods. The data obtained were compared with the WHO guideline limits. Water samples with 0, 1-10, 11-50 and > 50 E. coli/100 mL were graded as A, B, C, and D corresponding to excellent, acceptable, unacceptable, and grossly polluted quality, respectively. Pre-tested semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to elicit information from the respondents. A 30-point scale was used to assess water handling practices. Handling practice scores greater or equal to mean handling practice score were grouped into good and those less than that were grouped into bad handling practices. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and One-way ANOVA at α = 0.05. The results showed physico-chemical parameters for both sources and households within WHO guideline limits. The mean total coliform counts for all sources and household containers exceeded permissible limits. E. coli  was not detected in harvested rain water while counts for borehole was 10.2 ±2.2 (A) and for stream sources was 44.6±33.3 EC/100 mL (B); drinking water stored in HSC had 36.8±32.3 (A) EC/100 mL, borehole had 62.31±33.2 (C) and stream had 30.00±33.2 (B). Mean handling practice score was 19.4+6.6. Majority (60.0%) practiced some water handling technique. Drinking water from assessed sources was of poor microbial quality and it significantly deteriorated when stored in household storage containers. Therefore, there is a need to improve the microbial quality of drinking water at sources and household level through the supply of simple, acceptable, low-cost treatment methods and hygiene education.