ABSTRACT

This research was conducted to assess the prevalence of water borne diseases in three (3) communities of Umuahia North L.GA, Abia State. The objectives were to evaluate the physical and chemical properties of domestic water (surface water and borehole) used in some selected area in Umuahia North LGA., examine the biological properties bacteria, fungi, Worm, and water used in some selected area in Umuahia North L.G.A., investigate the bio-safety practices and general knowledge of people towards water quality and waterborne disease and to assess the current rate of prevalence and incidence of water-borne diseases in some selected health facilities in Umuahia North L.GA. Data on demography, environmental safety and water borne disease occurrence were collected from the following communities Afara, Amuzukwu and Ossah using a structural questionnaire.The study sampled three communities in Umuahia (Afara, Amuzukwu, and Ossah) for data collection.  Water samples were collected from community boreholes and streams of Afara, Amuzukwu, and Ossah for biological and physicochemical evaluation. Data of admitted ill persons and cases of Cholera, Typhoid and Diarrhea for four months (April, May, June and July) were collected from the community’s health centers. From the results, the gender distribution was in ratio of 4 (23.8 %) to 16 (76.2 %), 4 (26.7 %) to 10 (66.7 %) and 8 (53.3 %) to 7 (46.7) of male and female from Amuzukwu, Afara and Ossah communities respectively. The respondents who showed concern about the sources of drinking water were, Amuzukwu 19 (90.5 %), Afara 20 (100 %) and Ossah 20 (100 %).Respondents who have either suffered Diarrhea, Typhoid or Cholera were Amuzukwu 17 (81.0 %), Afara 20 (100.0 %) and Ossah 20 (100.0 %). In Ossah, except for Hydrogen ion concentration, Electric Conductivity, Total Hardness, and Phosphate all the other parameters measured had significantly difference (P ≤ 0.05) between borehole and stream water quality. In amuzukwu, except for pH all the other parameters measured had significantly difference (P ≤ 0.05) between borehole and stream water quality. While in Afara, except for pH all the other parameters measured had significantly difference (P ≤ 0.05) between borehole and stream water quality. In the microbial evaluation of the borehole and stream water from Afara, Amuzukwu and Ossah, it was observed that the Total Variable Count, Total Coliform Count and Total Fungi Count values were higher in stream waters, when compared with that of the borehole water. Low prevalence rate was observed for water related disease in Umuahia which serves as an indication that greater number of people in Umuahia treats their water or drink safer and portable treated water. In conclusion Continuous treatment of all stream waters in this area by the groundwater quality analysis should be encouraged to meet the various WHO parameter standards for portable water before releasing it to the public for consumption. Hence, the higher microbial counts recorded in stream water. There is need for regular monitoring of these parameters to ensure the health and safety of the populace and subsequently reduce diseases caused by poor water quality.