CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Water is crucial for the survival of life on Earth. However, it can also become a carrier for dangerous substances and harmful organisms, posing significant health risks to humans through various means. Over the past few decades, factors such as human development, population growth, extreme weather events, natural disasters, and climate change have placed immense pressures on both the quality and quantity of water resources. These pressures can have a direct impact on the conditions that foster water-related diseases (Lewin et al., 2007; Fenwick, 2006).
In 2017, the Sustainable Development Goal aimed to ensure that water and sanitation would be available and sustainably managed for everyone by 2030 (United Nations, 2015). However, on a global scale, around 780 million people still lack access to safe water, and approximately 2.5 billion people in the developing world live without adequate sanitation facilities (Agingu, 2020; Bidhuri et al., 2018). The presence of polluted water and inadequate sanitation practices exposes individuals to various health risks.
The presence of newly emerging waterborne pathogens poses a significant health risk in both developed and developing countries (Sharma et al., 2003) as they have the potential to spread rapidly and impact large portions of the population. Waterborne diseases are transmitted through the consumption of contaminated drinking water, which contains microorganisms such as protozoa, viruses, bacteria, and intestinal parasites.
According to projections from the Global Burden of Disease report, waterborne diseases were the second leading cause of mortality in 1990, but by 2020, they had dropped to the ninth most significant cause of death (Murray et al., 1996). It is estimated that approximately 829,000 people die each year from diarrheal diseases, including cholera, dysentery, and typhoid fever, primarily due to the consumption of unsafe drinking water and poor sanitation practices (Prüss-Ustün et al., 2014).
Furthermore, according to the World Health Organization (2015), approximately 6.3 percent of deaths are attributed to unsafe water, inadequate sanitation, and poor hygiene. The provision of adequate, safe, and accessible water supplies, as well as satisfactory sanitation facilities, is crucial for maintaining a healthy population. The WHO (2015) also states that nearly 4 percent of the global disease burden could be prevented by improving water supply, sanitation, and hygiene (WHO/UNICEF Joint Water Supply, & Sanitation Monitoring Programme, 2015).
Safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) play a fundamental role in improving living standards for individuals. The benefits of improved WASH practices include enhanced physical health, environmental protection, better educational outcomes, time savings, the assurance of dignified living, and equal treatment for all genders. Populations that are poor and vulnerable often have limited access to improved WASH services and exhibit poorer hygiene behaviors. Therefore, improving WASH conditions is crucial in reducing poverty, promoting equality, and supporting socioeconomic development (Hutton & Chase, 2017).
The importance of implementing effective hygienic practices in the prevention and control of waterborne infections cannot be overstated. Thus this research aims to assess the importance of hygienic practices in preventing and controlling waterborne infections.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The impact of contaminated water on morbidity and mortality is substantial and requires measures to improve the safety of drinking water (World Health Organization (WHO), 2010; Pandey et al., 2014). Water pollution, open defecation, and poor hygiene practices serve as major obstacles to achieving good health. Therefore, ensuring the availability of safe and accessible water is crucial for public health, whether it is used for drinking, domestic purposes, food production, or recreational activities.
Preventing waterborne diseases can be achieved through adequate access to safe water, improving the quality of water sources, treating and storing household water, and promoting hygiene practices. With the global population increasing rapidly, the availability of water is expected to decrease steadily (WHO/UNICEF Joint Water Supply, & Sanitation Monitoring Programme, 2015).
Individuals with weakened immune systems, particularly children and the elderly, are more vulnerable to waterborne diarrheal diseases caused by pathogens (Pal et al., 2018). This emphasizes the significance of hygienic practices in the prevention and control of waterborne diseases. Hence, this study aims to contribute to a better understanding of the role of hygienic practices in preventing waterborne infections.
1.3 Aim of the Study
The aim of this study is to assess the importance of hygienic practices in the prevention and control of waterborne infections.
1.4 Objectives of the Study
The study had the following specific objectives:
1. To assess the current hygienic practices in reducing the transmission of waterborne pathogens.
2. To evaluate the effectiveness of hygienic practices in reducing the transmission of waterborne pathogens.
3. To provide recommendations for improving the promotion and adoption of hygienic practices for the prevention and control of waterborne infections.
1.5 Research Questions
1. What are the current hygienic practices in reducing the transmission of waterborne pathogens?
2. What is the effectiveness of hygienic practices in reducing the transmission of waterborne pathogens?
3. What recommendations can be made to improve the promotion and adoption of hygienic practices for the prevention and control of waterborne infections?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
H0: There is no significant relationship between the adoption of hygienic practices and the prevention and control of waterborne infections.
Ha: There is a significant relationship between the adoption of hygienic practices and the prevention and control of waterborne infections.
1.7 Justification of the Study
The justification for conducting this research is based on the importance of understanding the role of hygienic practices in preventing and controlling waterborne infections. Waterborne infections pose a significant public health concern worldwide, causing illnesses and even deaths. Hygienic practices, such as proper hand hygiene, safe drinking water practices, and sanitation measures, have been recognized as effective strategies for reducing the transmission of waterborne pathogens.
However, there is a need to assess the importance of these measures in the community. By investigating this topic, the research aims to contribute to the existing knowledge and provide insights for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and individuals to improve preventive measures and reduce the burden of waterborne infections.
1.8 Scope of the Study
This research will focus on assessing the importance of hygienic practices specifically related to the prevention and control of waterborne infections. The research will be conducted in Nigeria among selected communities, and the findings will be limited to the selected sample.
