The Role of Hygiene and Sanitation to the Escherichia coli Contamination in Drinking Water in Depok City, Indonesia

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Drinking water is a vital aspect in human life. The quality of drinking water should be monitored to ensure public from any health effects caused by contaminated water. Escherichia coli (E. coli) is one of the indicators of fecal contamination should not be present in drinking water (0 cfu/100 ml). However, poor hygiene and sanitation contributes to E. coli contamination in drinking water, particularly in developing countries. AIM: We investigated the household hygiene and sanitation factors and the relationship with E. coli detection in the household drinking water. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was conducted to collect the data from three districts in the Depok city, that is, Sawangan, Bojongsari, and Cipayung. A total of 300 houses and the corresponding drinking water samples were collected during August–September 2019. E. coli was determined as microbiological indicator using total plate count method. RESULTS: The results showed that E. coli was detected in 174 (58%) of household water samples. The water container condition (OR = 2,60; CI 95%: 1.18–5.71) and the hand washing practice with soap (OR = 1,65; CI 95%: 1.04–2.62) were significantly correlated with the presence of E. coli in the water samples. CONCLUSIONS: The condition of the water container was the most dominant factors which contributed to E. coli content in the household drinking water.