Archives of Medicine and Surgery

ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year
: 2016  |  Volume : 1  |  Issue : 2  |  Page : 35--41

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of household water purification among caregivers of under-five children in biye community, Kaduna State


Jimoh M Ibrahim1, Muawiyyah B Sufiyan2, Abdulhakeem A Olorukooba2, Abdulrazaq A Gobir2, Hadiza Adam2, Lawal Amadu2 
1 Department of Community Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria, Zaria, Nigeria
2 Department of Community Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Zaria, Nigeria

Correspondence Address:
Jimoh M Ibrahim
Department of Community Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria, Zaria
Nigeria

Background: Water is one of the basic needs for survival, and potable water is essential for good health. Contaminated drinking water is a major health hazard in developing countries, and water-related diseases are a significant contributor to the global burden of illness. Thus, for populations without reliable access to safe drinking water, household water treatment provides a means of improving water quality and preventing disease. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of household water purification among caregivers of under-five children in Biye community. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to recruit 142 caregivers of under-five children who were randomly selected. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed using IBM SPSS. Chi-square was used to test associations. The level of significance was set at <0.05. Results: Majority (63.4%) of respondents used unprotected well, and only 26.1% used protected well as a source of water. Only 12% of respondents had good knowledge. However, the majority of respondents (63.4%) had a positive attitude toward household water purification. Boiling was the most common (79.6%) method of water purification respondents are aware of and only about a third (32.4%) currently practiced household water purification. Conclusion: Majority of the respondents had poor knowledge and practice of household water purification. However, significant proportion of the respondents had a positive attitude toward household water purification. The local government authority should embark on the mass campaign on the importance and methods of household water purification in rural communities.


How to cite this article:
Ibrahim JM, Sufiyan MB, Olorukooba AA, Gobir AA, Adam H, Amadu L. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of household water purification among caregivers of under-five children in biye community, Kaduna State.Arch Med Surg 2016;1:35-41


How to cite this URL:
Ibrahim JM, Sufiyan MB, Olorukooba AA, Gobir AA, Adam H, Amadu L. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of household water purification among caregivers of under-five children in biye community, Kaduna State. Arch Med Surg [serial online] 2016 [cited 2024 Mar 29 ];1:35-41
Available from: https://www.archms.org/article.asp?issn=2543-1951;year=2016;volume=1;issue=2;spage=35;epage=41;aulast=Ibrahim;type=0