Alqahtani Jobran M, Asaad Ahmed M, Ahmed Essam M, Qureshi Mohamed A
Department of Pediatric, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Najran University, Najran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Najran University, Najran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
J Family Community Med. 2015 Jan-Apr;22(1):19-24. doi: 10.4103/2230-8229.149581.
The aim was to investigate the bacteriological quality of drinking water, and explore the factors involved in the knowledge of the public about the quality of drinking water in Najran region, Saudi Arabia.
A cross-sectional descriptive study.
A total of 160 water samples were collected. Total coliforms, fecal coliform, and fecal streptococci were counted using Most Probable Number method. The bacterial genes lacZ and uidA specific to total coliforms and Escherichia coli, respectively, were detected using multiplex polymerase chain reaction. An interview was conducted with 1200 residents using a questionnaire.
Total coliforms were detected in 8 (20%) of 40 samples from wells, 13 (32.5%) of 40 samples from tankers, and 55 (68.8%) of 80 samples from roof tanks. Twenty (25%) and 8 (10%) samples from roof tanks were positive for E. coli and Streptococcus faecalis, respectively. Of the 1200 residents participating in the study, 10%, 45.5%, and 44.5% claimed that they depended on municipal water, bottled water, and well water, respectively. The majority (95.5%) reported the use of roof water tanks as a source of water supply in their homes. Most people (80%) believed that drinking water transmitted diseases. However, only 25% of them participated in educational programs on the effect of polluted water on health.
Our results could help health authorities consider a proper regular monitoring program and a sustainable continuous assessment of the quality of well water. In addition, this study highlights the importance of the awareness and educational programs for residents on the effect of polluted water on public health.
本研究旨在调查饮用水的细菌学质量，并探究沙特阿拉伯奈季兰地区公众对饮用水质量认知的相关影响因素。
横断面描述性研究。
共采集160份水样。采用最大可能数法对总大肠菌群、粪大肠菌群和粪链球菌进行计数。使用多重聚合酶链反应检测分别针对总大肠菌群和大肠杆菌的细菌基因lacZ和uidA。通过问卷调查对1200名居民进行访谈。
在来自水井的40份样本中，8份（20%）检测出总大肠菌群；在来自水车的40份样本中，13份（32.5%）检测出总大肠菌群；在来自屋顶水箱的80份样本中，55份（68.8%）检测出总大肠菌群。来自屋顶水箱的20份（25%）和8份（10%）样本分别检测出大肠杆菌和粪肠球菌呈阳性。在参与研究的1200名居民中，分别有10%、45.5%和44.5%的人表示他们依赖市政供水、瓶装水和井水。大多数人（95.5%）报告称其家中使用屋顶水箱作为供水水源。大多数人（80%）认为饮用水会传播疾病。然而，其中只有25%的人参加过关于受污染水对健康影响的教育项目。
我们的研究结果有助于卫生当局考虑制定适当的定期监测计划以及对井水质量进行可持续的持续评估。此外，本研究强调了针对居民开展关于受污染水对公众健康影响的认识和教育项目的重要性。
