Abstract
Water is an indispensable resource for life. In the district of Ahomadegbe in Benin, although most of the population has access to improved water sources, in their homes, residents consume poor water quality due to microbiological contamination during transport and storage. To identify necessary actions needed to improve household drinking water quality, the present study aims to analyze the knowledge, attitudes, and practices the district of Ahomadegbe’s population regarding household drinking water treatments methods. A study was conducted, where 377 residents were interviewed using an individual questionnaire and 82 participants were selected for eight focus groups to determine the population’s knowledge, attitudes, and practices. More than 65% of the district’s population knew some methods of water treatment at home. In practice, however, they lacked the knowledge to apply the different water treatment methods and only 6.1% of the population used at least one method of water treatment at home, even if it was not always adapted. The water treatment methods residents used were Alum (KAl(SO4)2·12 H2O, chemical decantation method), filtration on tissues, and disinfection by boiling. Ineffective home water treatment methods, such as oil and cresol were also used. The population is aware of water contamination during transport and storage. Unfortunately, most residents surveyed do not treat water before consumption, and those who treat it, use inappropriate methods. Thus, people must be made aware of the health benefits of using effective home water treatment methods and their correct use.
Highlights
Water is a natural resource whose availability in sufficient quantity and acceptable quality contributes to the maintenance of health
To identify necessary actions needed to improve household drinking water quality, the present study aims to analyze the knowledge, attitudes, and practices the district of Ahomadégbé’s population regarding household drinking water treatments methods
91% coverage of drinking water has been achieved globally, and 6.6 billion people have access to improved water sources [1], much of the world’s population, especially those living in rural areas, continue to consume water of poor microbiological quality
Summary
Water is a natural resource whose availability in sufficient quantity and acceptable quality contributes to the maintenance of health. 91% coverage of drinking water has been achieved globally, and 6.6 billion people have access to improved water sources [1], much of the world’s population, especially those living in rural areas, continue to consume water of poor microbiological quality. In sub-Saharan Africa, 319 million people live without access to an improved water source and 102 million people still use surface water [1]. In Benin, water issues are still a major problem for the population, especially those living in rural areas where only 72% have access to drinking water [1]. Despite the district of Ahomadégbé’s good coverage from improved water sources, microbiological analyses of water samples collected at the source and during transport and storage, have shown increasing microbiological contamination between source and storage [4]
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