Testing water quality in conjunction with a household health survey and construction of community maps

Background.

Tabuga and Camarones are two rural Ecuadorian communities which obtain their drinking water from a treatment facility and directly from a river, respectively. In order to examine the linkages between water quality, environmental health beliefs and practices, and household health outcomes, water testing and a comprehensive household health survey was conducted in each community.

Methods.

Quantitative water quality tests evaluating E. coli, fecal coliform, and other contaminant levels were conducted in each community. Water from streams, springs, and water storage devices was tested using 3M™ Petrifilm™ Plates and also in an Ecuadorian university lab. Two technicians living within the two communities were trained in water testing techniques so that quality can be monitored throughout the year. Water quality results as well as information gathered from an integrative household health and environmental beliefs survey will be incorporated into a GIS system of houses and environmental risk factors.

Results.

The administration of household surveys revealed a wide variety of environmental health beliefs and practices, many of which could significantly affect household health outcomes. The construction of two community maps incorporating water results, environmental health hazards, and health outcomes provides an integrative framework for evaluation and future analysis.

Discussion.

Water quality testing in conjunction with the construction of a community map and household health survey is a comprehensive approach to evaluating community health. Spatial information regarding water quality, household location, and environmental hazards can be used to better target health, development and education initiatives, as well as identify best-practices.