The objective of this cohort study was to assess risk factors for child dysentery and watery diarrhoea. The study participants consisted of 254 children aged 12–24 months in rural South Africa and Zimbabwe in households where drinking water was collected from communal sources. The main outcome measure was the most severe diarrhoea episode: dysentery, watery diarrhoea or none. For dysentery, drinking water from sources other than standpipes had a relative risk ratio of 3.8 (95% CI 1.5–9.8). Poor source water quality, as indicated by Escherichia coli counts of 10 or more cfu 100 ml−1, increased risk by 2.9 (1.5–5.7). There were no other significant risk factors for dysentery and none for watery diarrhoea. In this study, endemic dysentery is associated only with faecal contamination of source water. Sources other than standpipes, including improved groundwater, are of greater risk. Remediation of water quality by treatment at source or in the household will be required to achieve access to safe drinking water in accordance with the 7th Millennium Development Goal.
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Research Article|
February 01 2009
Child dysentery in the Limpopo Valley: a cohort study of water, sanitation and hygiene risk factors
Stephen W. Gundry;
1Water and Health Research Centre, University of Bristol, Merchant Ventures Building, Woodland Road, Bristol, BS8 1UB, UK
Tel.: +44 117 331 5296 Fax: +44 117 331 5297; E-mail: [email protected]
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James A. Wright;
James A. Wright
2Department of Geography, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
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Ronán M. Conroy;
Ronán M. Conroy
3Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Mercer Building, Dublin 2, Ireland
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Martella Du Preez;
Martella Du Preez
4Natural Resources and the Environment, CSIR, PO Box 395, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
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Bettina Genthe;
Bettina Genthe
5Natural Resources and the Environment, CSIR, PO Box 320, Stellenbosch, 7599, South Africa
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Sibonginkosi Moyo;
Sibonginkosi Moyo
6Institute of Water and Sanitation Development, PO Box MP 422 Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe
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Charles Mutisi;
Charles Mutisi
7Department of Animal Science, University of Zimbabwe, Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe
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Natasha Potgieter
Natasha Potgieter
8Department of Microbiology, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, Limpopo Province, South Africa
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J Water Health (2009) 7 (2): 259–266.
Article history
Received:
April 01 2008
Accepted:
August 15 2008
Citation
Stephen W. Gundry, James A. Wright, Ronán M. Conroy, Martella Du Preez, Bettina Genthe, Sibonginkosi Moyo, Charles Mutisi, Natasha Potgieter; Child dysentery in the Limpopo Valley: a cohort study of water, sanitation and hygiene risk factors. J Water Health 1 June 2009; 7 (2): 259–266. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wh.2009.032
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