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Diarrhoeal Disease in Relation to Possible Household Risk Factors in South African Villages

Author

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  • Thandi Kapwata

    (Environment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Johannesburg 2028, South Africa
    Environmental Health Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2028, South Africa)

  • Angela Mathee

    (Environment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Johannesburg 2028, South Africa
    Environmental Health Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2028, South Africa
    School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2028, South Africa)

  • Wouter Jacobus Le Roux

    (Natural Resources and the Environment, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Private Bag x395, Pretoria 0001, South Africa)

  • Caradee Yael Wright

    (Environment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria 0084, South Africa
    Department of Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, Pretoria 0028, South Africa)

Abstract

Diarrhoeal disease is a significant contributor to child morbidity and mortality, particularly in the developing world. Poor sanitation, a lack of personal hygiene and inadequate water supplies are known risk factors for diarrhoeal disease. Since risk factors may vary by population or setting, we evaluated the prevalence of diarrhoeal disease at the household level using a questionnaire to better understand household-level risk factors for diarrhoea in selected rural areas in South Africa. In a sub-sample of dwellings, we measured the microbial quality of drinking water. One in five households had at least one case of diarrhoea during the previous summer. The most widespread source of drinking water was a stand-pipe (inside yard) (45%) followed by an indoor tap inside the dwelling (29%). Storage of water was common (97%) with around half of households storing water in plastic containers with an opening large enough to fit a hand through. After adjusting for confounders, the occurrence of diarrhoea was statistically significantly associated with sourcing water from an indoor tap (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR): 2.73, 95% CI: 2.73, 1.14–6.56) and storing cooked/perishable food in non-refrigerated conditions (AOR: 2.17, 95% CI: 2.17, 1.44–3.26). The highest total coliform counts were found in water samples from kitchen containers followed by stand-pipes. Escherichia coli were most often detected in samples from stand-pipes and kitchen containers. One in four households were at risk of exposure to contaminated drinking water, increasing the susceptibility of the study participants to episodes of diarrhoea. It is imperative that water quality meets guideline values and routine monitoring of quality of drinking water is done to minimise diarrhoea risk in relevant rural communities. The security of water supply in rural areas should be addressed as a matter of public health urgency to avoid the need for water storage.

Suggested Citation

  • Thandi Kapwata & Angela Mathee & Wouter Jacobus Le Roux & Caradee Yael Wright, 2018. "Diarrhoeal Disease in Relation to Possible Household Risk Factors in South African Villages," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-12, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:8:p:1665-:d:162194
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Akebe Luther King Abia & Lisa Schaefer & Eunice Ubomba-Jaswa & Wouter Le Roux, 2017. "Abundance of Pathogenic Escherichia coli Virulence-Associated Genes in Well and Borehole Water Used for Domestic Purposes in a Peri-Urban Community of South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-11, March.
    2. 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.
    3. Nisha Naicker & June Teare & Yusentha Balakrishna & Caradee Yael Wright & Angela Mathee, 2017. "Indoor Temperatures in Low Cost Housing in Johannesburg, South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-18, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Thi Yen Chi Nguyen & Bamidele Oladapo Fagbayigbo & Guéladio Cissé & Nesre Redi & Samuel Fuhrimann & John Okedi & Christian Schindler & Martin Röösli & Neil Philip Armitage & Kirsty Carden & Mohamed Aq, 2021. "Diarrhoea among Children Aged under Five Years and Risk Factors in Informal Settlements: A Cross-Sectional Study in Cape Town, South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-18, June.
    2. Joern Falk & Björn Globisch & Martin Angelmahr & Wolfgang Schade & Heike Schenk-Mathes, 2022. "Drinking Water Supply in Rural Africa Based on a Mini-Grid Energy System—A Socio-Economic Case Study for Rural Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-19, August.
    3. Angela Mathee & Jocelyn Moyes & Thulisa Mkhencele & Jackie Kleynhans & Brigitte Language & Stuart Piketh & Elias Moroe & Floidy Wafawanaka & Neil Martinson & Meredith McMorrow & Stefano Tempia & Kathl, 2021. "Housing Quality in a Rural and an Urban Settlement in South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-17, February.
    4. Mohora Feida Malebatja & Mpata Mathildah Mokgatle, 2022. "Diarrhoea among Children Aged 5 Years and Microbial Drinking Water Quality Compliance: Trends Analysis Study in South Africa (2008–2018)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-14, December.
    5. Thandi Kapwata & Zamantimande Kunene & Bianca Wernecke & Samantha Lange & Guy Howard & Anisha Nijhawan & Caradee Y. Wright, 2022. "Applying a WASH Risk Assessment Tool in a Rural South African Setting to Identify Risks and Opportunities for Climate Resilient Communities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-16, February.

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