Prevalence of Waterborne Diseases in Different Union Councils of Abbottabad District

Qudsia Shoukat, Huma Ajab (), Asim Yaqub (), Bibi Saima Zeb, Ayesha Baig and Rifsha Naseem
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Qudsia Shoukat: Department of Environmental Science, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus, Abbottabad 22060, Pakistan
Huma Ajab: Department of Chemistry, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus, Abbottabad 22060, Pakistan
Asim Yaqub: Department of Environmental Science, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus, Abbottabad 22060, Pakistan
Bibi Saima Zeb: Department of Environmental Science, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus, Abbottabad 22060, Pakistan
Ayesha Baig: Department of Biotechnology, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus, Abbottabad 22060, Pakistan
Rifsha Naseem: Department of Environmental Science, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus, Abbottabad 22060, Pakistan

World, 2025, vol. 6, issue 2, 1-24

Abstract: This study aimed to assess the water quality, prevalence of waterborne diseases, and hygiene practices in selected Union Councils (UCs) of Abbottabad District. A small number of studies on water contamination and its effects on health have been carried out by various researchers and government organizations in Abbottabad. Considering how much time has passed since the last study, this one will provide up-to-date information on water quality and disease prevalence, taking into account any developments or patterns over the last ten years. The areas of high and low prevalence of waterborne diseases were identified based on secondary data from district hospitals. The high-prevalence area included UC Nawanshehr, UC Mirpur, and UC Sherwan, while the low-prevalence area comprised UC Bakot, UC Moolia, and UC Tearch. Water samples were collected from these UCs and analyzed for physical parameters (pH, turbidity, TDS, EC, and temperature) as well as biological parameters ( E. coli , Salmonella typhi , and Vibrio cholera ) to assess the drinking water quality. Questionnaires were also administered to gather information on water supply, storage, treatment, disease prevalence, and hygiene practices. The findings indicated that all physical parameters fell within the permissible limits; however, all water samples were found to be contaminated with biological agents. UC Mirpur and UC Bakot exhibited the highest disease prevalence rates of 55% and 33%, respectively. Correlation analysis revealed strong positive correlations (correlation coefficients of 1, 0.8, and 0.5) between the presence of E. coli , Salmonella typhi , and Vibrio cholera and disease prevalence. The questionnaire data revealed that the main sources of water supply were tube wells, small streams, and water pumps, with minimal water treatment practices. The water treatment level was, however, noted to be far below expectations, even with the required hygiene practices being followed in all Union Councils. Above all, these findings indicate the necessity to promote best practices for water treatment in the studied UCs and inform efforts to improve drinking water quality at the population level. Public health measures need to focus on improving access to safe drinking water sources, appropriate water treatment, and hygiene. The identified findings from this study nurture innovative affordable solutions that can lead to decreased waterborne diseases and enhanced public health protections in the Abbottabad District.

Keywords: waterborne diseases; infectious diseases; drinking water; water resource management; public health; global health; sanitation and hygiene (WASH); sustainability; SDG6 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: G15 G17 G18 L21 L22 L25 L26 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 R51 R52 R58 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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