Bacteriological quality of drinking water in Sekela district, West Gojjam, Amhara, Ethiopia

Unsafe and fecally contaminated water can act as a vehicle for the transmission of waterborne pathogens. The objective of this study was to evaluate the bacteriological quality of drinking water and hygienic practices among households. The study was conducted at selected sites in the Sekela district, Amhara, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from March to May 2021. A total of 90 water samples from seven different sources were collected and analyzed in the laboratory. Questionnaires were developed to collect information about sociodemographic background and hygienic practices. The numbers of total coliform (TC) and fecal coliform (FC) were counted using the membrane filtration method. Of 90 water samples collected for laboratory analysis, 86 (95.50%) samples were positive for TC bacteria, and 70 (81.40%) samples exhibited FC growth. There was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) between the bacterial count and water samples collected from different sources among the three sites. The majority of households practiced open-field defecation (67.50%), and they had no source of information about water-handling practices (92.50%). The coliform counts of sampled water from different sources were high, posing a public health concern. Health education on hygiene practices needs to be implemented for the communities.