INTRODUCTION

1.0. BACKGROUND

Water is important to human life and public health, much of the world’s population lacks access to adequate and safe drinking water. Currently, water scarcity is a global challenge that affects more than 40% of the total global population (Guppy and Anderson, 2017). It is estimated that around 3 billion people will not have access to fresh water by 2025 and will be living in a water stressed environment (Tran and Koncagul (2016)). As a result of these water-related diseases and deaths continue to be a global burden in both developed and developing countries. Most cases are reported in less developed countries and developed countries also experience waterborne diseases outbreaks (Blasi and Career 2008).

Waterborne diseases are caused by drinking water mostly contaminated by human or animal excrement which contain pathogenic micro-organisms. Globally, waterborne diarrhea illness is leading among diseases that cause mortality and morbidity, killing 1.8 million people and causing approximately 4 billion cases of illness annually (United Nations, 2014). Moreover, in less developed countries waterborne diarrhea continues to be a leading cause of death and illness among children with 90% of diarrhoeal deaths being borne by children under five years (UNICEF and WHO, 2012). Poor sanitation, inadequate safe drinking water and poor hygiene practices are major attributable factors to waterborne diseases occurrence, (Abdulkadir and Anandapandian 2013). WHO also estimates that, 6.3% of all deaths are caused by limited access to safe drinking water, improved sanitation facilities and hygiene practices as well as water management that reduce transmission of waterborne illness (Prüss-üstün and Batram 2008). According to (UNICEF and WHO, 2012) 780 million of  total global population do not have access to safe water, and an estimated 2.5 billion people in developing world live without access to adequate sanitation. The supply of clean drinking water is one of the main challenges facing in most of the African countries today (Naik, 2017).

In Africa, it is estimated that only 22% of the population has adequate sanitation facilities (Bateman and Eisenberg 2009). Additionally, 28% of the population of sub-Saharan Africa defecates in the open and an additional 23% use “unimproved” sanitation facilities that do not ensure hygienic separation of human excreta from human contact, (Institute of Medicine Forum on Microbial Threats, 2009). Moreover, even where clean water and flush toilets are available in Africa, lack of hygiene awareness continues to result in outbreaks of water related diseases. In the Kenyan context, waterborne diarrhea diseases have been reported to be among the major public health problems. This is mostly associated with poor environmental sanitation and poor hygiene practices as well as poor supply of safe and clean drinking water (WHO, 2008). Water predicament remains very critical in Kenya and the country has been classified among the water scarce countries in the world with only 647 m per capita against 1000 m standard global benchmark (Kenya National Water Development Report, 2006). 

Additionally, according to Ministry of water and Irrigation report (2012), 50% of the Kenya’s households did not have access to safe drinking water and the proportion for the poor households was higher, (Ministry of Water and Irrigation, 2012). Most of the Kenyan rural populations obtain their water supplies from unprotected sources, underground water, streams, spring wells, ponds and lakes (African Ministers’ Council on Water, 2011) making them frequently subjected to diarrhea diseases.

Consequently, better understanding of waterborne disease occurrence can perhaps help reduce associated morbidity and mortality rates. As a result, the main aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review on occurrence and burden of waterborne diseases. The broad objective of this study was to review present and past researches on waterborne diseases and most importantly the contributing factors for waterborne diseases as well as the intervention practices. Therefore, the present study gives the detailed information on the empirical studies of the past and present waterborne diarrhoeal diseases. The review gives the relevant information to understand the burden of waterborne diseases in both developed and developing countries, waterborne disease contributable risk factors, information on waterborne prevention practices and finally identifying potential gaps in studies on waterborne diseases.

1.1 STATEMENT OF THE RESEARCH PROBLEM

Water borne diseases still pose a significant threat to public health globally, Despite the efforts to improve access to Clean and safe drinking water, This study was access the prevalence of water borne diseases among the patients attending dutse general hospital including the distribution of these diseases and socioeconomic factor influencing their occurrence and the health outcomes associated with them. By understanding the magnitude and implications of water borne diseases, this research seeks to provide insights for affective prevention and control strategies to mitigate their adverse effects on individuals and communities.

1.2 JUSTIFICATION OF THE RESEARCH PROBLEM

Lack of clean water supply, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) are major causes for the spread of waterborne diseases in a community. The fecal–oral route is a disease transmission pathway for waterborne diseases. Poverty also increases the risk of communities to be affected by waterborne diseases.

1.3    AIM AND OBJECTIVES 

The aim of this study is to access the prevalence of water borne diseases among the patients attending Dutse general hospital.

And the objectives are:

i- To determine the prevalence of water borne diseases.

ii- To determine the seasonal variation prevalence of water borne diseases.

iii- To determine the correlation of disease prevalence with environmental  factor.

1.4 SCOPE AND LIMITATION

The research was focused on the prevalence of water borne diseases in Dutse  general hospital in other to improve health and create awareness among the patients through personal hygiene and inspection.

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The significance of this study include;

i. Help in surveillance of different diseases happening in the community gives room for public health concern regarding to diseases.

ii. Assist government and health agencies in keeping tract on the prevalence of diseases.

iii. Determine which Among tropical/water borne diseases affect the study areas  Most.

1.6 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

H?: There is no prevalence of water borne-diseases in Dutse metropolis.

H°: There is no seasonal variation in the prevalence of water borne diseases.

H°:  There is no relationship between water borne diseases and the environment.

1.7   RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1- How to determine the prevalence of water borne diseases?.

2- How to determine the seasonal variation of water borne diseases?.

3- How to determine the correlation of disease prevalence with environmental factors?.