Malik A, Yasar A, Tabinda Ab, Abubakar M
Sustainable Development Study Center, GC University, Lahore, Pakistan.
Iran J Public Health. 2012;41(6):39-49. Epub 2012 Jun 30.
Almost one third of the global population is living in developing South Asia where disease occurrence is high especially in rural areas and people are unaware of water-borne diseases and cost of illness.
The quantitative approach involved questionnaire based study (n=50 households). The community awareness, the occurrence of water-borne diseases with related cost of illness and community participation for the introduction of health interventions for water-borne diseases were evaluated through cross-tabulations, correlations, and ANOVA.
Majority (40%) of the community had no knowledge of water-borne diseases except some had little knowledge of diarrhea and typhoid. Diarrhea followed by stomach diseases was widespread in the community. Population below poverty level was bearing the cost of illness around US$ 0.6-1.2 (Rs 50-100) per day followed by low and average income level with direct cost of US$ 2.3 (Rs 200) per day. The indirect cost of illness had showed increasing trend between US$ 2.3-4.7 (Rs 200-400) per day with increase in income levels. Maximum willingness to pay (WTP) for water supply and sewerage system was US$ 3.6 (Rs 300) and US$ 1.2 (Rs 100) per month respectively. Income and water supply demand was strongly correlated with acceptability to pay for the facilities (r = 0.319, 0.307; P< 0.05). Income had a strong influence on WTP for water and sewerage system (r = 0.805, 0.797; P< 0.05).
To maintain rural health, water-borne diseases can be reduced by introducing health interventions like proper water and sanitation facilities.
全球近三分之一的人口生活在发展中的南亚地区，该地区疾病发生率很高，尤其是在农村地区，人们对水传播疾病以及疾病成本缺乏了解。
定量方法包括基于问卷调查的研究（n = 50户家庭）。通过交叉表、相关性分析和方差分析，评估了社区意识、水传播疾病的发生情况及其相关疾病成本，以及社区对引入水传播疾病健康干预措施的参与情况。
大多数（40%）社区居民对水传播疾病一无所知，只有一些人对腹泻和伤寒有一点了解。腹泻之后，胃病在社区中广泛存在。贫困线以下人口每天承担的疾病成本约为0.6 - 1.2美元（50 - 100卢比），其次是低收入和中等收入水平人群，他们每天的直接成本为2.3美元（200卢比）。随着收入水平的提高，疾病的间接成本呈上升趋势，每天为2.3 - 4.7美元（200 - 400卢比）。对供水和排水系统的最大支付意愿分别为每月3.6美元（300卢比）和1.2美元（100卢比）。收入和供水需求与支付设施费用的接受程度密切相关（r = 0.319，0.307；P < 0.05）。收入对供水和排水系统的支付意愿有很大影响（r = 0.805，0.797；P < 0.05）。
为了维持农村地区的健康状况，可以通过引入适当的水和卫生设施等健康干预措施来减少水传播疾病。
