Bacteriological Quality of Drinking Water from Source to Point of Use and Associated Factors among Households in Debre-Tabor Town, Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract Background: Bacteriological deterioration of drinking water is a significant environmental determinant of human health. The deterioration can be at any point within the chain from the water source to point of use. However, lack of source protection, poor sanitary practice and poor water handling habits contribute for faecal coliform contamination. So far, detection of this coliform in water indicates recent faecal contamination and the presence of pathogenic organisms. For instance, exposing for this pathogenic microbes has a serious effect on human health from mild gastro-enteritis to life threating diseases of diarrhea, cholera and typhoid. Objective: To assess bacteriological quality of drinking water from the sources, to point of use and associated factors among households in Debre-Tabor town, Northwest Ethiopia, 2022. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was conducted from April 18/2022 to Jun20 /2022 in Debre-Tabor town. Systematic random sampling was used to select households to take water samples from the point of use. The study was included a total of 355 water samples (323 from point of use, 27 from sources and 5 from reservoirs). Aseptic sampling procedure, from home to water sources with sanitary survey were used. Membrane filtration analysis method was under taken. Epi-data for data entry and SPSS software for data analysis were used. Data were presented with frequency and percentage. Chi-square test and bivariate logistic regression analysis were used. Multivariable logistic regression model with adjusted odds ratio was fitted. Result: Of the water samples analyzed 55.6% water sources, 20% reservoirs and 57.9%, from point of use with 95% CI: (53.3, 64) were tested positive for faecal coliforms with mean±SD 7.47±3.54, 3±0 and 6.42±4.25 respectively. Educational status of the respondent [AOR= 3.53; 95%, CI: (1.76, 7.08)], the types of sanitation households used [AOR=2.5, 95% CI: (1.41, 4.44)], household water treatment [AOR=3.8; 95% CI: (1.78, 8.12)] and households drinking water storage condition sanitary risk score [AOR=3.33, 95% CI: (1.33, 8.32)] were significantly associated factors for bacteriological quality of drinking water at the point of use. Conclusion: The prevalence of faecal coliform contamination of drinking water was highly significant in the study area. This presence of faecal coliform in drinking water at the point of use fails to comply with WHO standard permissible limits and more likely threat the community health. Therefor capacity building through education shall provide for the community on source protection, sanitation utilization, water treatment and handling. Keywords: Drinking water, Faecal Coliform, Risk factors, Water Quality, Debre-Tabor town.