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Muddying the Waters: A New Area of Concern for Drinking Water Contamination in Cameroon

Author

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  • Jessica M. Healy Profitós

    (Division of Environmental Health Sciences, the Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Arabi Mouhaman

    (Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Maroua, Maroua BP 46, Far North Region, Cameroon
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Seungjun Lee

    (Department of Food Science and Technology, the Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Rebecca Garabed

    (Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, the Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA)

  • Mark Moritz

    (Department of Anthropology, the Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA)

  • Barbara Piperata

    (Department of Anthropology, the Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA)

  • Joe Tien

    (Department of Mathematics, the Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA)

  • Michael Bisesi

    (Division of Environmental Health Sciences, the Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA)

  • Jiyoung Lee

    (Division of Environmental Health Sciences, the Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
    Department of Food Science and Technology, the Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

Abstract

In urban Maroua, Cameroon, improved drinking water sources are available to a large majority of the population, yet this water is frequently distributed through informal distribution systems and stored in home containers ( canaries ), leaving it vulnerable to contamination. We assessed where contamination occurs within the distribution system, determined potential sources of environmental contamination, and investigated potential pathogens. Gastrointestinal health status (785 individuals) was collected via health surveys. Drinking water samples were collected from drinking water sources and canaries . Escherichia coli and total coliform levels were evaluated and molecular detection was performed to measure human-associated faecal marker, HF183; tetracycline-resistance gene, tet Q; Campylobacter spp.; and Staphylococcus aureus . Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship between microbial contamination and gastrointestinal illness. Canari samples had higher levels of contamination than source samples. HF183 and tet Q were detected in home and source samples. An inverse relationship was found between tet Q and E. coli . Presence of tet Q with lower E. coli levels increased the odds of reported diarrhoeal illness than E. coli levels alone. Further work is warranted to better assess the relationship between antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and other pathogens in micro-ecosystems within canaries and this relationship’s impact on drinking water quality.

Suggested Citation

  • Jessica M. Healy Profitós & Arabi Mouhaman & Seungjun Lee & Rebecca Garabed & Mark Moritz & Barbara Piperata & Joe Tien & Michael Bisesi & Jiyoung Lee, 2014. "Muddying the Waters: A New Area of Concern for Drinking Water Contamination in Cameroon," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-19, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:11:y:2014:i:12:p:12454-12472:d:42896
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mintz, E.D. & Bartram, J. & Lochery, P. & Wegelin, M., 2001. "Not just a drop in the bucket: Expanding access to point-of-use water treatment systems," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 91(10), pages 1565-1570.
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    Cited by:

    1. Tyler J. Gorham & Joshua Yoo & Rebecca Garabed & Arabi Mouhaman & Jiyoung Lee, 2017. "Water Access, Sanitation, and Hygiene Conditions and Health Outcomes among Two Settlement Types in Rural Far North Cameroon," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-12, April.

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