Accessibility To Potable Water And Its Implications To Rural Community Health: A Case Study Of Maddu County, Gomba District

ABSTRACT

Historically there has been life behind our ways of living and human health has always been

linked to our environment. Though the problem of water is common in most parts of maddu,

most people have cultures affiliated to water accessibilities which have an effect on child

health.

Today most people are faced with water related problems which has left most communities in

fear hindering sustainable development, such problems include rape, kidnapping, and

defilement due to water sources being far away.

The study looked at the practices which people are not aware of, but can avail water to their

near bye premises. The objectives were to identify the different sources of potable water, to

determine factors affecting the distribution of potable water and to find out the mechanisms

can be put in place to remedy the situation of water accessibility.

The study used a number of methods which included use of questionnaires, interview guides,

observation checklist, and photography.

The findings indicated that most communities in maddu are located far from the water

sources and they mostly practice poor water management which has seriously left them

meaudering around looking for water far from their homes. The study also found out that

most people get water from un protected wells which affects their health and the most

common potable water source in the area was taps and protected wells.

The study found out that limited resources, poor leadership and poor planning has affected

the distribution of potable water in maddu sub-countries

In conclusion the study further showed that safe water supplying sources in Maddu still had a

low coverage since the major accessible water sources were unprotected wells, and piped

water and lack of clean water and safe sanitation traps multitudes of people in poverty as

most of our sources of income highly depend on water.

However, there are recommendations that can be undertaken as first step towards promotion

of potable water accessibility in maddu sub-county and these included sensitization of people,

proper physical planning, research, equity and formation of community health clubs.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION ii

APPROVAL iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS v

LIST OF FIGURES ix

LIST OF PLATES x

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS xi

DEFINITIONS OF KEY TERMS xii

ABSTRACT xiii

CHAPTER ONE 1

INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 Background to the Study 1

1.2 Statement of the problem 4

1.3 Objectives of the study 4

1.4 Research questions 5

1.5 Scope of the Study 5

1.6 Significance of the study 5

CHAPTER TWO 6

LITERATURE REVIEW 6

2.1 Introduction 6

2.2 Accessibility of potable water to rural populations 6

2.3 Different sources of potable water 7

2.3.1 Water from Atmosphere 7

2.3.2 Water from the Surface 8

2.3.3 Water from Under the Ground 8

2.4 Factors influencing the distribution of potable water 9

2.5 Dangers to inadequate accessibility to potable water 12

V

2.6 Alternative practices by people lacking potable water 13

2.6.1 Neighbouring Water Utilities 14

2.6.2 Local Alternative Source 15

2.6.7 Pre-packaged Water 15

CHAPTER ThREE 16

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 16

3.1 Research Design 16

3.2 Location of the study Area 16

3.3 Population composition of the area 18

3.3.1 Climate of the Area 18

3.3 .3Topography of the area 18

3.4 Study population 18

3.5 Sample size determination 19

3.6 Sampling procedures 19

3.7 Data Collection Instruments 20

3.7.1 Questionnaire 20

3.7.2 Interview guide 20

3.7.3 Observation Checklists 21

3.8Data Analysis 21

3.8.1 Quantitative method 21

3.8.2 Qualitative method 21

3.9 Ethical considerations 22

CHAPTER FOUR 23

ANALYSIS OF FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONS 23

4.1 Introduction 23

4.2 Demographic characteristics of respondents 23

4.2.1 Sex of respondent 23

4.2.2 Age of Respondents 24

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4.2.3 Education level of respondents 24

4.2.4 Employment of respondents 25

4.2.5 Place oforigin 26

4.2.6 Marital status ofrespondents 27

4.2.8 Land tenure ofthe respondents 27

4.3 Available potable water sources and their accessibility, commonly used in Maddu sub-county28

4.3.1 Convenience and distance to potable water sources in Maddu sub-county 30

4.3.2 Intended use of potable water 31

4.3.3 Duration of fetching water per day 32

4.3.4 Potable water source running dry 32

4.4 Factors influencing distribution of potable water in Maddu sub-county 33

4.5 Effects /dangers of water inaccessibility on the rural community health 34

4.5.1 Means of fetching potable water by the rural community 34

4.5.2 Sexual instances as a result of water inaccessibility 35

4.5.3 Other problems/effects associated with potable water inaccessibility in Maddu sub-county.. 35

4.6 Possible solutions to ensure potable water accessibility to rural communities in Maddu subcounty

36

CHAPTER FIVE 38

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 38

5.1 CONCLUSION 38

5.2 RECOMMENDATION 38

REFERENCES 41

APPENDICES 43