Abstract
Objectives: To determine the relationship between consumption of E. coli contaminated well-water and gastrointestinal illness in rural families.
Methods: One hundred and eighty-one families with well-water as a drinking source participated in a one-year follow-up study. Water was tested for E. coli bacteria and health outcomes were monitored for household members.
Results: E. coli in well-water was significantly associated with gastrointestinal illness in family members, however the relationship was modified by the distance from the septic tank to the well. E. coli had an odds ratio of 2.16 [95% CI 1.04, 4.42] if the septic tank was greater than 20 metres from the well and 0.46 [95% CI 0.07, 2.95] if the septic tank was within 20 metres.
Conclusions: Consumption of contaminated well-water is associated with gastrointestinal illness. E. coli can be a useful marker for detecting wells that pose a potential public health problem in rural areas.
Résumé
Objectifs: Étudier l’association possible entre la consommation d’eau de puits contaminée par E. coli et l’occurrence de maladies gastro-intestinales dans les familles rurales.
Méthodes: Cent quatre-vingt et une familles ayant un puits comme source d’eau de consommation ont participé à une étude s’échelonnant sur une année. L’eau de puits a été analysée pour la recherche E. coli et l’état de santé de chaque membre de la famille a été suivi.
Résultats: La présence de E. coli dans l’eau de puits était signifïcativement associée aux maladies gastro-intestinales chez les membres de la famille quoique cette relation était dépendante de la distance entre le puits et la fosse septique. Le rapport de cotes du E. coli était de 2,16 [95% IC 1,04, 4,42] si la fosse septique était à plus de 20 mètres et 0,46 [95% IC 0,07, 2,95] si la fosse septique était à moins de 20 mètres du puits.
Conclusions: La consommation d’eau de puits souillée est associée aux maladies gastro-intestinales. Le E. coli peut être un indicateur utile pour détecter les puits qui posent un problème potentiel de santé publique dans les zones rurales.
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