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Water Source Preferences and Water Quality Perceptions among Women in the Eastern Region, Ghana: A Grounded Theory Study

Author

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  • Jhanel F. Chew

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University School of Engineering, Medford, MA 02155, USA)

  • Laura Corlin

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University School of Engineering, Medford, MA 02155, USA
    Section of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA)

  • Fernando Ona

    (Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA)

  • Sarah Pinto

    (Department of Anthropology, School of Arts and Sciences, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA)

  • Esther Fenyi-Baah

    (Ghana Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Accra, Greater Accra, GA-057-0036, Ghana)

  • Bernard G. Osei

    (Farming Systems Ecology, Wageningen University & Research, 6708 Wageningen, The Netherlands)

  • David M. Gute

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University School of Engineering, Medford, MA 02155, USA)

Abstract

Residents in the Eastern Region, Ghana with access to improved water sources (e.g., boreholes and covered wells) often choose to collect water from unimproved sources (e.g., rivers and uncovered wells). To assess why, we conducted two field studies to coincide with Ghana’s rainy and dry seasons. During the rainy season, we conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews among a convenience sample of 26 women in four rural communities (including one woman in the dry season). We asked each participant about their attitudes and perceptions of water sources. During the dry season, we observed four women for ≤4 days each to provide context for water collection and water source choice. We used a grounded theory approach considering the multiple household water sources and uses approach to identify three themes informing water source choice: collection of and access to water, water quality perception, and the dynamic interaction of these. Women selected water sources based on multiple factors, including season, accessibility, religious/spiritual messaging, community messaging (e.g., health risks), and ease-of-use (e.g., physical burden). Gender and power dynamics created structural barriers that affected the use of unimproved water sources. A larger role for women in water management and supply decision-making could advance population health goals.

Suggested Citation

  • Jhanel F. Chew & Laura Corlin & Fernando Ona & Sarah Pinto & Esther Fenyi-Baah & Bernard G. Osei & David M. Gute, 2019. "Water Source Preferences and Water Quality Perceptions among Women in the Eastern Region, Ghana: A Grounded Theory Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-13, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:20:p:3835-:d:275224
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. World Health Organisation (WHO), 2015. "Progress on Sanitation and Drinking Water," Working Papers id:7119, eSocialSciences.
    2. Nauges, Céline & Van Den Berg, Caroline, 2009. "Perception of Health Risk and Averting Behavior: An Analysis of Household Water Consumption in Southwest Sri Lanka," TSE Working Papers 09-139, Toulouse School of Economics (TSE).
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    Cited by:

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    2. Limbani R. Kalumbi & Chisomo Thaulo & Eleanor E. MacPherson & Tracy Morse, 2020. "Perspectives and Practices on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene from a Fishing Community along Lake Malombe, Southern Malawi," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-17, September.
    3. Michael Damilola Eruaga & Kyle Frankel Davis, 2024. "Evaluation of Household Water Treatment Technologies for Cholera Eradication in Sub-Saharan Africa: Epidemiological and Economic Perspectives," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-12, February.

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