A comparative analysis of the effect of household water treatment with flocculant-disinfectant and sodium hypochlorite on the risk of waterborne diseases

Authors

  • Elizabeth Okoh University of Jos, Nigeria
  • Chundung Asabe Miner Department of Community Medicine, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Plateau State
  • Adakole Friday Okoh Department of Internal Medicine, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Plateau State
  • Catherine Sekyen Igoh Department of Community Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of Jos, Plateau State https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3731-1649
  • Godwin Ojonugwa Agada Diagnostic Department, National veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State
  • Ayuba Ibrahim Zoakah Department of Community Medicine, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Plateau State

Keywords:

Risk, waterborne diseases, flocculant-disinfectant, sodium hypochlorite

Abstract

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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Published

2021-03-06

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 1 (2021): Jan

Section

Original Research Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2021 International Journal of Biomedical Research

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How to Cite

1.
A comparative analysis of the effect of household water treatment with flocculant-disinfectant and sodium hypochlorite on the risk of waterborne diseases. Int Jour of Biomed Res [Internet]. 2021 Mar. 6 [cited 2025 Mar. 12];12(1):e5454. Available from: https://ssjournals.co.in/index.php/ijbr/article/view/5454