| dc.description.abstract | ABSTRACT
Background: Availability of healthy drinking water sources is a main concern world over. In Uganda, 80% of all infections have been directly linked to poor-quality drinking water due to contaminants arising from unsanitary conditions. This study isolated bacterial pathogens from different homes' drinking water sources in Namugongo-Janda village, Wakiso district, and
determined their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns as well as the factors associated with bacterial contamination in drinking water.
Methods: A total of 20 drinking water samples were collected using 300 ml sterile glass bottles. Samples were cultured using Muller Hinton and MacConkey agar, identification was done using the biochemical tests and drug sensitivity testing (DST) was done using Muller Hinton Agar. Additionally, a questionnaire was used to assess the associated factors for water contamination.
Results: The analysis of the water samples collected from the four sources indicates that only 75% (15) of water samples had observable bacterial counts, whereas the remaining 15% (5) had no growth. The highest total plate count was 1.8 x 105 CFU/ml whereas the lowest total plate count was 480 CFU/ml, both of which were obtained from taps 1 and 2 respectively. All the observed microbial contaminants ranges were above WHO reference standards for drinking water, which
are 0 CFU/ml. The biochemical characterization of the possible bacteria in the 15 positive water samples indicated the presence of only Bacillus subtilis, which suggests that 75% of the water sources contain biofilms inside them and so they need to be cleaned regularly. Ciprofloxacin together with Tetracycline, Gentamicin and Erythromycin were the most effective antibiotics from the results. The main factors for contamination of the drinking water sources discovered by this
study were absence of a perimeter fence, presence of other potential contaminants, presence of cracks or dirt draining channels, using water source for washing of legs, clothes, containers, animal access to the water source and presence of a toilet nearby.
Conclusion and recommendation: The main bacterial contaminant that was isolated from the drinking water samples is Bacillus subtilis, which suggests that 75% of the water sources in Namugongo-Janda village contain biofilms inside them. I highly recommend that there should be regular microbiological assessment of all drinking water sources, and erecting of perimeter fence around all water points in the area in order to prevent animal droppings, debris near water points. | en_US |
