Access to Potable water in Dschang Health District, West Cameroon: A Cross Sectional Descriptive study.

Background: Limited access to safe water is a prominent public health challenge. This leads to disease outbreak, thus resulting in high morbidity and mortality. Objective: To evaluate access to potable water in Dschang Health District, West Cameroon. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional household study was carried in Dschang Health District from 24 to 28 May 2010. A standard questionnaire was administered to household heads. Water samples collected were analysed using Colorimetric methods and Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and compared to WHO standards. Data collected were analyzed using the Epi-Info software version 3.5.3 Results: Of the 300 households visited, only 12% of participants were able to give the correct definition of potable water and 25% of households used water from spring and CAMWATER. Average daily quantity of water used per person was 9.88 liters. Physicochemical and bacteriological tests revealed the water sources were of poor quality in general as only 40% of the sources tested showed characteristics close to standard. Distance less than 30 m between water source and toilets was recorded for 33.2% of houses. The closest potable water source for 34.3% households was about a kilometer away and water was commonly treated by chloration (22%). Financial constrains acted as a major barrier as 28% of households could not afford a CAMWATER connection nor a borehole in their compounds. Lack of planning at CAMWATER resulted in 19.6% of houses unable to connect themselves to the water supply system. Conclusion: Accessibility to potable water remains a major concern hence the need to revise current policies and strategies relative to safe drinking water.