| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2016 | Volume
: 1
| Issue : 2 | Page : 35-41 |
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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
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
DOI: 10.4103/archms.archms_1_17
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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. |
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