Water quality and occurrence of water-borne diseases in the Douala 4th District, Cameroon

Water Sci Technol. 2009;59(12):2321-9. doi: 10.2166/wst.2009.268.

Abstract

The monthly occurrence and mean age distribution of water-borne diseases in the Douala 4th District, Cameroon (1995-2006) were studied and probable causes of diseases spread were established. Diseases of interest included gastroenteritis, amoebic dysentery, typhoid fever and cholera. Water-borne disease occurrence was observed to follow a seasonal pattern with peaks occurring between the months of January and May followed by drops between June and October and rose again from November. Children below 5 years were found to be more vulnerable to diarrhoea, gastroenteritis, amoebic dysentery while persons between 15-44 years were more vulnerable to typhoid and cholera. Physico-chemically, water samples had turbidities varying between 5.5-86 NTU, pH values between 4.2 and 7.1 and zero residual chlorine. Bacteriological analysis showed that the total coliform count was averagely 74/100 ml, the faecal colform count was 43/100 ml and the faecal streptococci count was 27/100 ml. Lack of access to potable water, absence of sanitation facilities and environmental factors could be advanced as the probable causes of water-borne disease spread.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Bacterial Infections / epidemiology*
  • Cameroon / epidemiology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cholera / epidemiology*
  • Diarrhea / epidemiology*
  • Enterobacteriaceae Infections / epidemiology
  • Gastroenteritis / epidemiology*
  • Humans
  • Sanitation
  • Sewage / microbiology
  • Typhoid Fever / epidemiology*
  • Water Microbiology*
  • Water Pollution
  • Water Supply / standards*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Sewage