Bacteriological Quality of Drinking Water and Diarrhoeal Outcome among Under Five Children in Resettlement Colony, Delhi.

Globally, diarrhoea is the second leading cause of death among under five children and India alone accounts for 100,000 lives annually, third highest in the world. In low and middle-income countries, contaminated water has been the major source of diarrhoea. It has been seen that lack of improper WaSH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) practices accounts for 90% of the total death due to diarrhoea. Objective: To determine the bacteriological quality of drinking water and diarrhoeal morbidity among under five children and to assess the WaSH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) practices among children and mothers/care givers. Materials and Methods: A community based cross-sectional study conducted in resettlement colony, Kalyanpuri of Delhi. A total of 553 under five children were studied after attaining consent from mothers/care givers. MPN count per 100 ml was measured from point source as well as drinking water storage vessel. Result: Prevalence of diarrhoea was found to be 40.2% in the period between January 2018 to December 2018. It was found to be more prevalent among children aged between 13-24 months (57.3%). On assessing the bacteriological quality of water samples, 37% of samples were unsatisfactory, 36% suspicious and 22% satisfactory. None of the samples were found to be satisfactory. On assessing the WaSH practices, it was observed that the mother/care givers lacked the knowledge and importance of hand hygiene and sanitation practices. Conclusion: Diarrhoea being a preventable disease yet takes a heavy toll of lives of children. Mere awareness without behaviour change cannot reduce the burden of diarrhoea. Education on WaSH practices, their acceptance and also on household water treatment and storage practices can have a major impact on the burden of diarrhoeal diseases.