Water safety: management, perception and health implications in Santa agricultural area, North-West Region, Cameroon
2020
Sonchieu, Jean | Tapaat, Constant
Santa agricultural area is a key production site for crops in Cameroon. This study aimed to look at the risk factors, knowledge and health implications of water pollution across 10 villages, in the area: 140 water points were visited and questionnaires randomly administered to water users, while health data were collected from the two local hospitals. Water sources are tap, stream, rain, well and spring and the water is used for agriculture, domestic activities, hygiene and sanitation. Pesticide pollution was illustrated by activities such as spraying, mixing and management of waste containers and purification methods are chlorination, boiling, sedimentation, filtration and refrigeration. Waterborne diseases are cholera, typhoid (the most prevalent), diarrhea, dysentery and skin diseases. Many water sources are close to toilets, farms and dumping sites. We found that 75% of respondents were not satisfied with the quality of water. Our results will be interest for water management, and to educate users on the risks linked to current practices.
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