Abstract
Abstract Inadequate improved water supply and sanitation, particularly in refugee camps contribute to the spread of infectious diseases. The study objective was to assess determinants of microbiological quality of drinking water in refugee camps and host communities in Gambella Region, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from September to December 2016 based on structured questionnaire-based interviews and testing household water using the portable Potatest+ water quality testing kit. Data were analyzed and P values <0.05 with 95% confidence interval (CI) were considered statistically significant. Results showed there were significant differences in fecal coliform count (P value = 0.009) and free residual chlorine concentration (P value = 0.01) between the source and stored water samples. Surface water source, water shortages in the previous month, and unavailability of free residual chlorine and caregivers without formal education were the main determinants of microbiological quality of stored water. Stored water was contaminated in many households in both the refugee and host communities. Designing and implementing appropriate community education and effective hygiene promotion programs are essential in improving community knowledge of water contamination and reducing diarrhea prevalence among under-five children in refugee camps and host communities in Gambella Region.
Highlights
IntroductionCommunities in developing countries obtain their drinking water from various water sources
This study found water quality in refugee camps to be better than their host communities
Fecal coliforms were isolated in many households with stored water in both the refugee and host communities
Summary
Communities in developing countries obtain their drinking water from various water sources. K. Mekonnen et al | Determinants of microbiological quality of drinking water in Gambella Region Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development | 09.4 | 2019 biological and chemical pollutants originating from point and non-point sources (Ali et al ). Diarrheal diseases caused 446,000 deaths each year, contaminated drinking water accounted for 72.1%, while inadequate sanitation was associated with 56.4% deaths from diarrhea (Masquelier et al )
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
