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Household Water Quantity and Health: A Systematic Review

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  • Rachel D. Stelmach

    (Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA)

  • Thomas Clasen

    (Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA)

Abstract

While the quantity of water used in the home is thought to be an important determinant of health, much of the evidence relies on using water access as a proxy for quantity. This review examines the health effects of household water quantity using studies that directly measured water quantity. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and article reference lists. Eligible studies included experimental and observational studies that measured a difference in water quantity and quantified an association between water quantity and health outcomes. 21 studies, divided into six of the many possible water-quantity associated outcomes, met the eligibility criteria. Due to heterogeneity in designs, settings, methods, and outcomes, a meta-analysis was inappropriate. Overall results showed a positive association between water quantity and health outcomes, but the effect depended on how the water was used. Increased water usage for personal hygiene was generally associated with improved trachoma outcomes, while increased water consumption was generally associated with reduced gastrointestinal infection and diarrheal disease and improved growth outcomes. In high-income countries, increased water consumption was associated with higher rates of renal cell carcinoma and bladder cancer but not associated with type II diabetes, cardiac-related mortality, or all-cause mortality.

Suggested Citation

  • Rachel D. Stelmach & Thomas Clasen, 2015. "Household Water Quantity and Health: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-21, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:12:y:2015:i:6:p:5954-5974:d:50294
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Meredith E Stocks & Stephanie Ogden & Danny Haddad & David G Addiss & Courtney McGuire & Matthew C Freeman, 2014. "Effect of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene on the Prevention of Trachoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(2), pages 1-29, February.
    2. Eric C Strunz & David G Addiss & Meredith E Stocks & Stephanie Ogden & Jürg Utzinger & Matthew C Freeman, 2014. "Water, Sanitation, Hygiene, and Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(3), pages 1-38, March.
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    1. Rebeca Sultana & Nazmun Nahar & Nadia Ali Rimi & Sayeda Tasnuva Swarna & Shifat Khan & Md. Khaled Saifullah & Humayun Kabir & Peter Kjær Mackie Jensen, 2022. "The Meaning of “Hygiene” and Its Linked Practices in a Low-Income Urban Community in Bangladesh," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-13, August.
    2. Alasdair Cohen & Md Rasheduzzaman & Amanda Darling & Leigh-Anne Krometis & Marc Edwards & Teresa Brown & Tahmina Ahmed & Erin Wettstone & Suporn Pholwat & Mami Taniuchi & Elizabeth T. Rogawski McQuade, 2022. "Bottled and Well Water Quality in a Small Central Appalachian Community: Household-Level Analysis of Enteric Pathogens, Inorganic Chemicals, and Health Outcomes in Rural Southwest Virginia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-12, July.
    3. Rebeca Sultana & Nazmun Nahar & Stephen P. Luby & Sayeda Tasnuva Swarna & Emily S. Gurley & Charlotte Crim Tamason & Shifat Khan & Nadia Ali Rimi & Humayun Kabir & Md. Khaled Saifullah & Sushil Ranjan, 2022. "Measuring Water Quantity Used for Personal and Domestic Hygiene and Determinants of Water Use in a Low-Income Urban Community," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-16, November.

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