Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) analysis of Amansea and Ugwuoba livestock market settlements and bacteriological quality investigation of drinking water sources at Amansea, Nigeria

Background: Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) are 3 interconnected drivers of waterborne diseases. This study investigated the WASH status of Amansea and Ugwuoba Livestock Market Settlements (LMSs). Methods: Data on drinking water sources, sanitation and hygiene practices were obtained from randomly selected households in Amansea (140) and Ugwuoba (248) LMSs. In addition, the drinking water samples (borehole and commercial sachet water) were collected monthly (September 2020 - August 2021) from the LMSs for bacteriological analysis. Results: Of the 388 households surveyed, 195 (50%) had access to improved drinking water sources in both LMSs. The households in Amnsea had more of improved drinking water sources compared to those in Ugwuoba (67.1%; 94/140 vs 40.7%; 101/248). Most households in Amansea (64.3%; 90/140) and Ugwuoba (58.5%; 145/248) LMSs practiced open defecation. Large proportions of households in Amansea (75.3%, 61/81) and Ugwuoba (55.0%, 77/140) had inadequate hygiene facilities. The borehole samples had a mean total and faecal coliform counts of 26 CFU/100 mL and 35 CFU/100 mL, respectively, which was undetected in the commercial sachet water. Conclusion: Fewer households in Ugwuoba than Amansea had access to improved drinking water. Most of the households in both LMSs do not have access to improved sanitation, and sanitation facilities. The faecal pollution of the borehole water sources suggests the needs for treatment of drinking water to prevent any possible waterborne outbreak in the area. Further, increased access to improved drinking water, sanitation, and sanitation facilities in both LMSs should be promoted by the relevant government agency. Keywords: Water; sanitation; hygiene; faecal coliform; total coliform.