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Drinking Water Investigation of Hill Tribes: A Case Study in Northern Thailand

Author

Listed:
  • Suntorn Sudsandee

    (Environmental Health Program, School of Health Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand)

  • Krailak Fakkaew

    (Environmental Health Program, School of Health Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand)

  • Vivat Keawdounglek

    (Environmental Health Program, School of Health Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand)

  • Pussadee Laor

    (Environmental Health Program, School of Health Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand)

  • Suwalee Worakhunpiset

    (Department of Social and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand)

  • Tawatchai Apidechkul

    (Environmental Health Program, School of Health Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand
    Center of Excellence for the Hill-tribe Health Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand)

Abstract

Hill tribes are a group of people who live in remote areas in northern Thailand. They typically use untreated water for drinking, that can lead several health problems. The six main hill tribes—Akha, Hmong, Karen, Lahu, Lisu, and Yao—were selected for the study. A validated questionnaire was used for data collection. Water samples were collected from the selected villages and tested for the quality at Mae Fah Luang University, Thailand. Results: the major sources of drinking water were mountain water supplies (74.3%), and commercial bottled water (21.4%). Easy access, sufficiency for the whole year, and food-drug administration sign labeled were the criteria used for selecting sources of drinking water. Colorless and safety were also used as a selection criteria for their drinking water in some tribes. Lisu, Karen, and Hmong treated their drinking water by boiling, while Akha and Lahu stored the water in certain containers to allow particle settling before drinking water without treatment. 42.0% of the water samples had a turbidity values <5 NTU, and total coliform and fecal coliform bacteria were detected in 100.0% of the samples. To prevent water-borne diseases among the hill tribe people, appropriate water treatments such as boiling, filtration, and disinfection are recommended.

Suggested Citation

  • Suntorn Sudsandee & Krailak Fakkaew & Vivat Keawdounglek & Pussadee Laor & Suwalee Worakhunpiset & Tawatchai Apidechkul, 2020. "Drinking Water Investigation of Hill Tribes: A Case Study in Northern Thailand," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-13, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:5:p:1698-:d:328763
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zhihua Hu & Lois Wright Morton & Robert L. Mahler, 2011. "Bottled Water: United States Consumers and Their Perceptions of Water Quality," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 8(2), pages 1-14, February.
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