Attitudes towards water quality and water use practices in low income areas in Lusaka

This study examines perceptions of water quality, methods of water storage and water use, and awareness and practice of water purification in two low-income neighborhoods of Lusaka, Zambia. The study is based on reports from 825 randomly selected men and women from two low-income areas of Lusaka who were administered a structured knowledge, attitude, practices questionnaire on water use.Findings include:70% of households use 20 liter containers for storing drinking waterthe majority of respondents are aware that poor quality water can result in diarrhoea (87%) and cholera (70%)54% of respondents believe that the quality of drinking water can be improved13% of respondents report ever having done something to improve water quality and 7% report doing something on a regular basisamong respondents who prepare food, 40% never wash hands with soap and water before food preparationonly 5% of respondents always wash hands before eating food, while 57% never dohygiene practices are better among those with more education38% of respondents report that garbage is disposed in a pit near their homes while 56% report that it is disposed in a heap along the roadabout 78% report that garbage is never collected from their neighborhoodsthe incidence of diarrhoea among children in these low-income neighborhoods is about 42% higher than the national (urban) levelThe study concludes that although respondents are aware of the relationship between drinking poor quality water and disease, they do not seem to make the link between the quality of water that they drink and risk of water borne disease. If residents of low-income areas can be convinced that they are personally at risk of water-borne diseases and that it is possible to improve the quality of water through using a water purification solution, introduction of such a product could lead to its adoption. However, such introduction would have limited impact unless it is done within the framework of a strong educational campaign that enables low-income people to improve their hygiene practices.[adapted from author]