Water Quality and the Incidence of Gastrointestinal Symptoms in a Locality in Cavite, Philippines

Hinahon, John Frietz L.

Tuesday, 31 July 2012: 11:35 AM

John Frietz L. Hinahon
John Paul G. Martin
Neil Patrick Javier Maguikay
Winlyn Banastas Donato, N/A
Ma. Krizzanne Flores, N/A
Arby Deluao, N/A
Jacqueline Manimbo, N/A
Peter Jeremiah Mananghaya Fajardo, N/A
Jean Rose Taguba Gaffud, N/A
Christian Galigao Eliot, N/A
Ma. Christine Russel Lozada, N/A
Rae Michelle Manzano, N/A
Far Eastern University, Manila, Philippines

Learning Objective 1: The learner will be able to describe the relationship between water quality and the incidence of gastrointestinal symptoms

Learning Objective 2: The learner will be able to compare the findings of this study to others done in different setting internationally.

Purpose: Water quality is an indicator of the wellness of the environment and is directly related to the health of the people exposed to it. Worldwide, infectious waterborne diseases are the number one killer of children under 5 years old. In some areas in the Philippines, piped water system (NAWASA) is stil inaccesible and the river is still the major source of drinking water for it's residents. This study aims to describe the water quality of a major source of drinking water in a locality in Cavite City, Philippines and its correlation to the occurrence of gastro-intestinal symptoms among its residents.

Methods:

This is a descriptive correlational study conducted by collecting water samples at three different points of the Maragondon River in Cavite City, which was submitted to the Water Distict and Department of Science and Technology for water quality testing. Incidence of gastrointestinal symptoms was collected through a survey using a convenience sample (n=240).

Results:

There was deviation in the normal water quality in all the three sample sites. The water sample from site C has the most deviation of water quality, with 3.7mg/L total dissolved oxygen, turbidity level at 268 Nephelometric Turbidity Unit, manganese content of 1.7mg/L and iron content of 1.4mg/L. The highest incidence of vomitting was noted on the same site where the water deviation was most pronounced.Inferential statistics determined a significant relationship between all the water qualities and the incidence of frequent stool passage and abdominal pain. while there was no significant relationship found between water quality and vomiting.

Conclusion:

Water source that has poor water quality is a threat to the residents of the locality, exposing them to incidence of gastrointestinal symptoms, particularly frequent stool passage, which has proven to be harmful especially to the very young and the very old population.

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