WOMEN'S KNOWLEDGE, PERCEPTION AND PREVENTION PRACTICES RELATING TO WATER-BORNE DISEASES IN TWO PERI-URBAN COMMUNITIES IN IDO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Water, an essential substance for sustaining life, could be a source of infection if contaminated. Women in Ido and Omi-Adio communities have been observed using water from insanitary and unprotected sources which may predispose them to gastro-intestinal tract infections. Little information is available on the knowledge, perception and prevention practices relating to Water-borne Diseases among this group of women in Ido and Omi-Adio communities. This study was therefore designed to investigate women's knowledge, perception and prevention practices among mothers in these communities. The study was a cross-sectional survey using a three-stage sampling technique to select 600 women from wards, compounds and houses in the purposively selected communities. A semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire and a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) guide were used for data collection. The questionnaire contained information related to respondents' socio-demographic characteristics, 15-point knowledge and 12- point perception scales on WDs and questions on water treatment practices. Knowledge scores of 0-5, >5-10 and >10-15 were rated as poor, fair and good respectively. Perception scores of <6 and >6 were rated as wrong and right respectively. Six FGD sessions were conducted on knowledge, perception and prevention practices relating to WD. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, Chi-square test and Student t-test; level of significance was set at 5%. The qualitative data were subjected to content analysis.

Age was 35.3 ±1.0 years, 87.3% were married and almost all respondents (96.2%) were aware that contamination of water with faecal matter could Lead to WDs. Well water constituted respondents' major source of water supply (87.5%). Other sources of water used by respondents for drinking and other purposes Included boreholes (46.2%), streams (43.8%) and rain (29.3%). Cholera (58.8%), typhoid (55.2%) and diarrhea (26.9%) were the correctly mentioned WDs. Knowledge score of WD was 9.1+-2.0 and 61.3%, 33.5% and 5.2% had good, fair and poor knowledge of WD respectively. Knowledge scores (9.0±2.0) for respondents aged ≥25 years was not significantly different from those who were <25 years (8.8 ±1.9). Also, there was no significant relationship between participants' knowledge and level of education. Majority (72.2%) had right perception related to WDs. About 80.0% had right perception that water from the streams was not the best source for drinking. Borehole and rain water (27.4%) and 17.6% respectively were used for cooking 65.9% and 35.4% used well water for bathing and washing respectively. Water was treated by 60.8% before drinking and the effective treatment methods used included boiling (30.1%) and chlorination (23.0%). FGD participants reported that swells were the main source of drinking and cooking water while stream and pond water were mainly used for washing. The perception of FGD participants was that boiling was unnecessary because drinking boiled water cannot prevent the occurrence of WDs if one is anticipating to have them. Respondents' knowledge of water borne diseases was low and use of water from unsanitary sources was common among women in the study area. Health education strategies such as sensitisation and community mobilisation on the provision of good quality water to prevent water-borne diseases are recommended.