a Department of Community Health Studies , Durban University of Technology , Durban , South Africa.
J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng. 2014;49(4):434-40. doi: 10.1080/10934529.2014.854674.
The worldwide prevalence of waterborne diseases has been attributed to the lack of safe water, inadequate sanitation and hygiene. This study evaluated socio-demographic factors, microbiological quality of water at source and point of use (POU) at households, water handling and sanitation practices in a rural Rwandan community. Thirty five water samples from the source, Nyabarongo River, and water at point of use (POU) treated with the Slow Sand Filter (SSF) and Sûr'Eau methods, were analysed for total coliform and faecal coliform counts. Turbidity was measured in household samples. A structured questionnaire regarding water collection, storage, usage and waterborne disease awareness was administered to 324 women. Despite the significant reduction in coliforms and faecal coliforms from the Nyabarongo River following treatment using either SSF or Sûr'Eau, the water at point of use was found to be unsafe for human consumption. The frequency of diarrheal diseases were significantly higher among people who did not wash hands before food preparation (P = 0.002) and after using a toilet (P = 0.007) than among those who did. There was a statistically significant association between education levels and water treatment practices at the households (P < 0.05). Participants had limited knowledge regarding water storage practices for prevention of household water contamination. A combination of treatment methods with appropriate water handling should be considered. In addition, education is a fundamental precursor to advocating water treatment at POU.
全世界范围内的水传播疾病的流行都归因于缺乏安全用水、卫生设施不足和个人卫生习惯差。本研究评估了卢旺达一个农村社区的社会人口因素、水源和家庭用水点（POU）的水质、水的处理方法、用水和卫生习惯。从源头 Nyabarongo 河和经过慢砂滤（SSF）和 Sûr'Eau 方法处理的 POU 处采集了 35 个水样，用于总大肠菌群和粪大肠菌群计数。对家庭水样进行了浊度测量。对 324 名妇女进行了有关水收集、储存、使用和水传播疾病意识的结构化问卷调查。尽管 SSF 或 Sûr'Eau 处理后从 Nyabarongo 河水中显著减少了大肠菌群和粪大肠菌群，但 POU 水仍不安全，不适合人类饮用。与饭前和便后洗手的人相比，饭前不洗手（P=0.002）和便后不洗手（P=0.007）的人腹泻病的发病频率更高。家庭水处理方法与教育水平之间存在统计学关联（P<0.05）。参与者对预防家庭水污染的储水实践知之甚少。应考虑结合适当的水处理方法。此外，教育是在 POU 倡导水处理的基本前提。
