BACTERIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF DRINKING WATER FROM SOURCE AND POINT OF USE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG HOUSEHOLDS IN HARARI REGION, EASTERN ETHIOPIA.

Abstract

Background: Biological deterioration of drinking water is the major cause of waterborne disease globally, and it causes documented illness and death all over the world. However, there is a paucity of information on identifying the point where deterioration of bacteriological quality of drinking water occur (source or point of use) and associated factors among households in developing countries, especially in Ethiopia. Objective: The objective of this study was, to assess the bacteriological quality of drinking water from source and point of use and associated factor among households in Harari region, Eastern Ethiopia from February 1- 30, 2018. Method and Materials: A community based cross-sectional study design was conducted among a 425 households in Harari region, Eastern Ethiopia. A pretested structured questionnaire was used to collect data. A total of 448 Water samples were collected and analyzed by membrane filtration method to identify the indicator bacteria (Thermotolerant bacteria) from 425 households and 23 water sources. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the data. Binary logistic regression was performed to assess the association between each independent and dependent variable. Odd Ratios along with 95% Confidence intervals were estimated to measure the strength of the association and identify factors associated with the bacteriological quality of drinking water. Level of statistical significance was declared at a p-value less than 0.05. Result: this study revealed that 5 (21.7%); 95% CI (4.5%, 39.1%) of water sources and 83.3%: 95% CI (79.8%, 87.1%) of households’ drinking water were contaminated by Thermotolerant bacteria. Drinking water samples from households in poor tercile [AOR=9.63; 95%CI (2.92, 31.69)], households with unimproved sanitation facility [AOR=2.81; 95%CI (1.31, 6.01], households which shares their house with animal [AOR=3.73; 95%CI (1.66, 8.37)], households that didn’t practice household water treatment [AOR=3.42; 95%CI (1.60, 7.31)] and not washing hands before water collection [AOR=7.04; 95%CI (2.22, 22.30)] were significantly associated with household water contamination. Conclusion: This study indicates that the bacteriological quality of drinking water deteriorates from source to point of use. Thus, health education programs on water, sanitation, hygienic practice and proper storage and handling of drinking water must be enhanced in order to improve the quality of drinking water among households.