Original Research Article
Year: 2016 | Month: December | Volume: 6 | Issue: 12 | Pages: 9-14
A Study on Water Handling Practices in Urban Field Practice Area of Gandhi Medical College, Secunderabad, Telangana, India
Asma1*, Vimala Thomas2*, R L Lakshman Rao2**, KVS Murty2*
1Post Graduate, 2Professor,
*Department of Community Medicine, Gandhi Medical College, Secunderabad, Telangana, India.
**Department of Community Medicine, Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
Corresponding Author: Asma
ABSTRACT
Background: Water handling affects water quality & health and is normally targeted with hygiene interventions. Improved public water supply does not necessarily improve water quality at point of use &/or health outcomes. Most of the water is contaminated due to improper water handling practices owing to human activity.
Objective:
- This study was conducted to assess the Practices, attitude and knowledge, about water handling and storage.
- To assess the knowledge of study population about diarrheal diseases.
Methods: The study was carried out in the urban field practice area of Gandhi medical college. A total of 250 households, were selected. The information was collected by questioning the mothers of children <5 years of age through structured questionnaire.
Results: All the households, (100%) had an access to safe drinking water. Around 66.8% of study group used clay containers as storage containers. Almost 22% of study population consumed untreated water. Almost 39.2% of mothers/care takers of children <5 years of age had no knowledge about water and its association with diarrhea.
Conclusions: Existing knowledge, regarding safe water in community was low in the study area. Health education about safe drinking water storage and handling methods is required to prevent contamination of drinking water.
Key words: water handling, safe drinking water, diarrheal diseases.