Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Today, close to a billion people mostl living in
the developing world do not have access to safe and adequate water.
Several studies in Ethiopia indicate that the majority of the
drinking water sources had coliform count beyond the WHO
standard. Therefore, Regular quality control mechanisms need to
be in place. The objective of this study is therefore to determine the
level of faecal coliform contamination of drinking water and its
associated factors in North Gondar Zone, Ethiopia.
METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was
conducted in rural parts of North Gondar Zone from April to July,
2016. Water samples were taken from water sources using
standardized water sampling techniques. Face-to-face interview
with structured questionnaires were used to collect socio-economic
and behavioral data. Univariate and multivariate analyses were
done using logistic regression models.
RESULTS: A total of 736 households participated in the study.
The prevalence of positive faecal coliform at water sources in
North Gondar Zone was found to be 56.5% (n=416) with [95% CI
(53-60)]. In multivariate analysis, educational status [(AOR): 0.28,
95% CI (0.1-0.8], sanitary risk of contamination [AOR): 513,
95%CI (51-511)] and water shortage experience [AOR: 0.25, 95%
CI (0.12-0.5)] are variables identified as predictors for faecal
coliform contamination of water in the source.
CONCLUSION: In this study, the prevalence of positive faecal
coliform at water source was high. Educational status, sanitary
Risk of contamination at the water source, water shortage
experience had significant associations with the presence of faecal
coliform in drinking water sources.
