Description
Abstract
Introduction/Objectives:
Human, animal and environmental impacts on water quality have direct effects on diarrhea occurrence. Escherichia coli is a bacteria that indicates faecal contamination, causing diarrhea and related human and animal diseases. E. coli concentration in water is often exacerbated by anthropogenic activities and require a community-based intervention for effective and sustainable health impacts. We assessed E. coli and total coliform concentration in drinking water sources and their implications on diarrhea occurrence in the Akonolinga health district, Centre Region of Cameroon in 2022 and 2023. The aim of this study was to initiate baseline information enabling sensitization of local communities concerning water purification strategies, including the use of Moringa Powder.
Methodology:
In 2022, drinking water from different sources and storage containers of 134 households in 6 villages along the Nyong River, were tested for E. coli/coliform concentration using Aquagenx quality field test kits. Further field data were collected using questionnaires designed with Kobokollect by One Health Water Africa (OHWA) field school multidisciplinary teams. Data sets were analysed by multivariate logistic regression statistics. In 2023, the same tests were carried out for 80 households across 3 villages.
Results and discussions:
Results showed that the major drinking water sources were unprotected springs, dug wells, and boreholes. Meanwhile, in 2022, 63% (26) of 41 water samples from the different sources tested positive for E. coli/coliform with higher rates detected in spring and surface water. Furthermore, 77% (94) of 122 storage water samples were contaminated, and 42% of the respondents reported occurrence of diarrhea. In 2023, results showed that, 90% (72) of households had domestic animals which are vectors of pathogen transmission, with 79% (57) of animals sleeping within houses. Also, 67% (12) of 17 water sources were contaminated, 91% (65) of 71 stored water samples tested positive to E. coli/coliforms and 48% reported occurrence of diarrhea. The highest cases were observed in the dry season where water sources shrunk, reducing the quantity of water available for household hygiene, thus increasing diarrhea occurrences, which may eventually leads to a surge in E. coli/coliform concentration in water. Using the moringa powder water purification method, the bacterial charges of water could reduce by 98%, which was highly appreciated by majority of the local community dwellers who expect more avenues to learn how to grow the plant, process and store Moringa powder. Thereby, demonstrating community engagement for risk communication and management.
Conclusions:
The livelihood of local communities is drastically impacted by human and animal activities that are exacerbated by environmental degradation and climate change dynamics. Therefore, multidisciplinary one health research approaches are encouraged to tackle water health and agro-environmental challenges that create avenues for water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) implementers to establish sustainable WASH facilities. Regular, vaccination of pets and farm animals is necessary to reduce risks of zoonostic diseases. Additionally, implementing integrated soil fertility management strategies can reduce the deleterious effects of blanket fertiliser application that may increase water contamination and reduce community health.
Keywords: One Health, Diarrhea, E. coli concentration, Community engagement
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