A comparative analysis of the effect of household water treatment with flocculant-disinfectant and sodium hypochlorite on the risk of waterborne diseases
Keywords:
Risk, waterborne diseases, flocculant-disinfectant, sodium hypochloriteAbstract
Background: The detection of Escherichia coli in water is an indication of the presence of other faeco-orally transmissible microorganisms which increase the risk for waterborne diseases. Simple and effective household water treatment technologies are capable of reducing this risk. This study aims to compare the effect of household water treatment using combined flocculant-disinfectant with that of sodium hypochlorite on the risk of waterborne diseases in rural households of Plateau State.
Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted in households of two selected rural communities of Plateau State among caregivers of under-fives. Household water treatment was carried out using the relatively new flocculant-disinfectant powder in the intervention group and the more familiar sodium hypochlorite solution in the control group, lasing for a period of 12 weeks. The presence and concentration of Escherichia coli was determined in water samples collected before and after intervention to determine households at risk of waterborne diseases. Analysis was carried out using SPSS 23.
Results: A total of 100 caregivers per household in intervention group and 96 in control group participated in the study.Less than 25% of households in both groups engaged in household water treatment which were mainly inappropriate methods. Before intervention, 74% of households in intervention group and 61.5% in control group were at risk of waterborne diseases (p=0.060). After intervention, more households in intervention group (88.0%) compared to 66.7% in control group had no risk for waterborne diseases (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: The study demonstrated that household water treatment with combined flocculant-disinfectant is more effective than sodium hypochlorite. There is need for government in collaboration with other stakeholders to provide rural dwellers who are at risk of contracting waterborne diseases with this option.
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