Sanitation and its impact on the bacteriological quality of water: A study in three communities in Ghana

Abstract

Water constitutes about 70% of the earth’s total mass and all life is dependent on water. Inadequate sanitation is a major cause of disease worldwide and improving sanitation is known to have a significant beneficial impact on health both in households and across communities. Water and sanitation are closely related and cannot be isolated. If uncontaminated water is available, reliable and convenient to collect, more water is consumed, both for hygienic purposes and for drinking which can improve health. In this study, the effect of sanitation on the bacteriological quality of water was evaluated. The study also assessed the sanitation facilities available in the three communities, the water facilities used and the bacterial contamination of household water. A cluster survey system was employed in three communities namely Tetegu, Mayera and Ashongman village in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Thirty households were clustered within each community. Within each household in each community, domestic water stored was analyzed for bacterial contamination using UriSelect 4 medium. This was used because it allows the isolation and counting of all organisms using a standard bacteriological loop plating method. Standardized questionnaires were administered in each household to ascertain the type of water and sanitation infrastructure. Seventy-seven percent and 87% of respondents relied on public standpipes in the Ashongman and Tetegu communities, respectively. Eightythree percent of respondents in Mayera relied on the Nsaki river. Eighty percent of respondents used the KVIP at Mayera, 97% of respondents at Tetegu resorted to open defecation, and 57% of respondents also used the pit latrine at Ashongman community. A total of ten bacterial species namely: Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterococcus faecalis, Proteus mirabilis, Streptococcus agalactiae. Enterobacter cloacae, Staphylococcus saprophytic, Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus were identified in domestic water stored. This study therefore recommends that policy makers must ensure the provision of basic infrastructure such as toilet facilities to reduce the likely contamination of water sources from poor sanitation facilities.

Microbiological assessment of dispensed foods in primary schools in Bokkos L.G.A. of Plateau State, Nigeria.

“…Street foods are defined as ready to eat foods and beverages prepared and/or sold by street vendors and handlers especially along the streets and other similar places for instant or later consumption without further preparation or processing. Even though street foods are relatively cheap and found almost everywhere, it is most a time associated with health problems [9]. Dispensed foods on the other hand, are ready to eat foods that are sold or serve in places such as schools and hospitals.…”

“…Dispensed foods on the other hand, are ready to eat foods that are sold or serve in places such as schools and hospitals. Since Ready to eat foods does not usually undergo further processing, it can serve as a good vehicle for foodborne microbial organism transmission into the body, if it is not handled properly [9]. There are lots of reasons why people eat away from home of which include absence from home while travelling, studying, while at work or need for a change both in terms of food type and the location [9].…”

“…Since Ready to eat foods does not usually undergo further processing, it can serve as a good vehicle for foodborne microbial organism transmission into the body, if it is not handled properly [9]. There are lots of reasons why people eat away from home of which include absence from home while travelling, studying, while at work or need for a change both in terms of food type and the location [9]. Some importance of ready to eat foods include source of inexpensive, convenient and often nutritious food; a major source of income for a vast number of persons particularly women; and a chance for self-employment and the opportunity to develop business skills with low capital investment.…”

“…Once the bacteria have produced toxin, the food can be extensively and properly cooked, killing the bacteria without destroying the toxin. Many of their toxin are genebased that is carried on plasmids [9]. Symptoms of food-borne diseases most at times differs amongst pathogens but some general symptoms of the pathogens may include; diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, fever and abdominal cramps.…”

The Current State and Future Prospects of Water and Sanitation Services in East Africa: The Case of Rwanda

“…Usually, life depends on water and 70% of the earth's mass is water. 10 cups of water are consumed and excreted by average adults, whereas six to eight cups are recommended for adults each day [12]. Even though water is important for maintaining the body's homeostasis and is an important part of life, it can be harmful if its source is contaminated and has impurities [13].…”