Diarrhoea among Children Aged 5 Years and Microbial Drinking Water Quality Compliance: Trends Analysis Study in South Africa (2008–2018)

Mohora Feida Malebatja () and Mpata Mathildah Mokgatle
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Mohora Feida Malebatja: Environmental and Occupational Health Department, Health Sciences Faculty, School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X 20, Hatfield, Pretoria 0028, South Africa
Mpata Mathildah Mokgatle: Environmental and Occupational Health Division, Public Health Department, School of Healthcare Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria 0208, South Africa

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 20, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: In developing countries such as South Africa, diarrhoeal diseases are reported to be linked to inadequate drinking water quality, sanitation, and hygiene behaviours. The consumption of microbiologically contaminated drinking water has been reported to cause diarrhoea, mortality, and morbidity in children under the age of five years. This study evaluated the microbiological pathogens detected in municipal drinking water and diarrhoea trends for children under 5 years of age in South Africa between 2008 and 2018. A trends analysis study was conducted using secondary data on diarrhoea for children under the age of five years and microbial drinking water quality compliance. A negative correlation was found between the occurrence of microbial pathogens in water, morbidity, and mortality rates of children under the age of 5 years in South Africa. As compliance status improved, the mortality rate among children under 5 years old decreased by 31% over the study period. A conclusion can thus be drawn that the microbiological pathogens detected in drinking water at levels complying with SANS 241:2015 Edition 2 standards and diarrhoea incidences were not the primary cause of the mortality of children under 5 years old in South Africa between 2008 and 2018.

Keywords: diarrhoea; water quality; children; sanitation; microbiological water quality; child mortality and morbidity rates; compliance status; South Africa (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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