Abstract
Abstract Background The poor water quality of recreational and rehabilitation pools, has been correlated to insufficient disinfection or human contamination, and can be a vehicle for transmitting diseases to users. Because people with different characteristics attend public swimming pools with different purposes, the pool water quality control is essential to minimize hazards related to unsafe water. Methods This study was based on data collection of 144 samples between 2018 and 2020 in therapeutic and recreational pools (indoor and outdoor) in the Bragança district. The proportion of the number of bathers were estimated, as well as the microbial parameters: Total coliforms, Escherichia coli, enterococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, total Staphylococcus, Staphylococcus coagulase-positive and mesophilic microbial count. Results The E. coli, enterococci and mesophilic microbial count were not found in any sample. Unsafe pool water was mainly contaminated by both photogenic P. aeruginosa (6.3%) and total Sthaphylococcus (10.4%). Levels of P. aeruginosa in therapeutic pools was greater than in recreational pools (indoor and outdoor) (10.5% vs 6.8% and 4.5%, respectively), while total Sthaphylococcus was absent in therapeutic pools and represent 13.6% and 10.6% of positivity in indoor and outdoor swimming pools, respectively. The bathers number medium of therapeutic, indoor and outdoor pools was 4.8, 3.4 and 6.9, respectively. Conclusions Overall, the results endorse the good water quality of these swimming pools, mainly by the absent of faecally-derived bacteria. The presence of P. aeruginosa in therapeutic pools can be explained by the type of users, while the high number of bathers may promote the growth of some microorganisms, particularly in outdoor pools.
Highlights
The poor water quality of recreational and rehabilitation pools, has been correlated to insufficient disinfection or human contamination, and can be a vehicle for transmitting diseases to users
The E. coli, enterococci and mesophilic microbial count were not found in any sample
Unsafe pool water was mainly contaminated by both photogenic P. aeruginosa (6.3%) and total Sthaphylococcus (10.4%)
Summary
The poor water quality of recreational and rehabilitation pools, has been correlated to insufficient disinfection or human contamination, and can be a vehicle for transmitting diseases to users. 60% of all antibiotic prescriptions aim at the treatment of URTI, even without a laboratory-based diagnosis. Delayed antibiotic prescription in primary care has shown to reduce antibiotic consumption, without increasing risk of complications, yet is not widely used. Rapid tests to confirm the etiology of URTI are available at pharmacies, but not purchased routinely. In this context, the aim of this study is to assess the knowledge of rapid tests for the diagnosis of URTI, and the awareness of strategies to decrease antibiotic use. Methods A team of experts in the field developed a questionnaire for the purpose of this study. Results Over 90% of the respondents with a URTI stated that the general practitioner prescribed the antibiotic without a lab test. The respondents aren’t familiarized with the concept, when asked, the majority (87%) are more likely to choose a delayed
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
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 call
