Examining the public health implications of drinking water–related behaviours and perceptions: A face‐to‐face exploratory survey of residents in eight coastal communities in British Columbia and Nova Scotia

Abstract

In Canada the quality of drinking water and its availability are a reflection of where one lives. Coastal communities, which are particularly susceptible to boil water advisories, present an understudied opportunity to understand drinking water–related behaviours and perceptions. How public health practitioners determine actions needed to prevent water‐borne illness is a key factor in the public adopting messaging and/or employing behavioural change. This study involved face‐to‐face surveys with residents in eight coastal communities in British Columbia and Nova Scotia. All communities had recent histories of boil water advisories and/or water shortages. The findings have significant implications for public health practice seeking to reduce the incidence of water‐borne diseases. For example, the respondents had a limited sense of risk of exposure to water‐borne illness. This serves as a challenge for public health professionals who are tasked with educating residents about the health benefits and risks associated with drinking tap water, wherein coastal residents not concerned with water quality/availability may view this information as unnecessary. Generally, obtaining a deep understanding of place‐based knowledge around health‐related issues, as done here, has the potential to impact future policy and management‐level decisions and lead to meaningful integration of local perspectives. Une exploration des conséquences pour la santé publique des comportements et perceptions liés à l'eau potable : une enquête exploratoire réalisée en face à face auprès de résidents de huit communautés côtières de la Colombie‐Britannique et de la Nouvelle‐Écosse Au Canada, la qualité de l'eau potable et sa disponibilité dépendent du lieu de résidence. Les communautés côtières, qui sont particulièrement visées par des avis d'ébullition de l'eau, fournissent une occasion d'apporter un nouvel éclairage sur les comportements et les perceptions liés à l'eau potable. La manière par laquelle les praticiens de la santé publique établissent quelles actions sont requises pour prévenir les maladies hydriques est déterminante tant pour l'adhésion du public aux messages que pour les changements de comportement. L'étude s'appuie sur une enquête réalisée en face à face auprès de résidents de huit communautés côtières de la Colombie‐Britannique et de la Nouvelle‐Écosse. L'ensemble des communautés a été touché récemment par un avis d'ébullition de l'eau ou des pénuries d'eau. Des conséquences importantes pour la pratique de la santé publique visant à réduire l'incidence des maladies hydriques peuvent être tirées des résultats de l'étude. Par exemple, les répondants sous‐estimaient l'existence du risque d'être exposé aux maladies hydriques. Cela pose un défi aux professionnels de la santé publique dont le mandat consiste à sensibiliser les résidants sur les bienfaits et les risques pour la santé de consommer l'eau potable du robinet, notamment quand les résidents côtiers ne se préoccupent ni de la qualité ni de la disponibilité de l'eau et peuvent m...

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