Factors Associated with Faecal Contamination of Household Drinking Water in a Rural Area, Vietnam

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted in a rural district in the highland area of Vietnam in order to identify risk factors for faecal contamination of household drinking water. In the study, the water supplies of 146 households were assessed initially in the rainy season and then were reassessed in the dry season.Water sampling in water sources and at the point-of-use in these households was done in both seasons. Water samples were considered feacally contaminated if containing presumptive thermotolerant coliforms (pThC). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were applied for data analyses. In water sources, the highest faecal contamination levels were seen in water from dug wells. Collecting water stored in household tanks by a hand-held ladle was a risk factor for faecal contamination for ter for drinking purposes, 33 and 18% of boiled drinking water samples contained pThC in the rainy and dry seasons, respectively. Scooping water by a cup, a visually dirty container, and household size ≥5 members were risk factors for faecal contamination of boiled drinking water in the rainy season. In the dry season, only the scooping of water by a cup was a risk factor. In conclusion, scooping water by using a hand-held ladle or a cup is the most important risk factor of faecal contamination of household drinking water. Safe drinking water storage and appropriate handling combined with treatment in the households can effectively prevent faecal contamination of household drinking water.