Water Consumption Patterns and Waterborne Diseases in Slums of Karachi

Abstract

Abstract The prime objective of the present study was to evaluate the water consumption patterns and systems in relation to water borne diseases in slum areas of Karachi. It also aimed to, to highlight the major incidence of water-borne diseases due to unhygienic practices and also investigated the role of Government and Non-Governmental Organizations for the provision of safe drinking water. The field-based exploratory approached and quantitative method of research was operated and has been given weighted in accordance with the primary data collection. A structured interview schedule was used as the tool for the collection of data. Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were used for the purpose of interpretation of the results. The result of the study indicates and elaborates that the people in slum areas of Karachi face problems related to water shortage, water pollution and water borne diseases. The results also depict that the majority of the population suffered from water related diseases such as Typhoid, Dysentery, Diarrhea, etc. The result of the study clearly highlights the fact that the condition of water supply system is quite unhygienic and poor which is the main cause behind the outbreak of these diseases.