Author(s)

Hermione Amoukpo^1*, Zoulkifl Salou Bachirou¹, Gabriel Diez², Larys Akuesson¹, Rachad Lanignan¹, Horace Degnonvi¹, Yves Barogui³, Gratien Boni¹, Michel Boko¹, Roch Christian Johnson¹

¹Laboratory of Hygiene, Sanitation, Toxicology and Environmental Health, Interfaculty Center of Training and Research in Environment for the Sustainable Development (CIFRED), University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC), Cotonou, Benin.
²Anesvad Foundation, General Concha, Bilbao, Spain.
³National Buruli Ulcer Control Program, Ministry of Health, Cotonou, Benin.

Water is an indispensable resource for life. In the district of Ahomadégbé in Benin, although most of the population has access to improved water sources, in their homes, residents consume poor water quality due to microbiological contamination during transport and storage. To identify necessary actions needed to improve household drinking water quality, the present study aims to analyze the knowledge, attitudes, and practices the district of Ahomadégbé’s population regarding household drinking water treatments methods. A study was conducted, where 377 residents were interviewed using an individual questionnaire and 82 participants were selected for eight focus groups to determine the population’s knowledge, attitudes, and practices. More than 65% of the district’s population knew some methods of water treatment at home. In practice, however, they lacked the knowledge to apply the different water treatment methods and only 6.1% of the population used at least one method of water treatment at home, even if it was not always adapted. The water treatment methods residents used were Alum (KAl(SO₄)2·12 H₂O, chemical decantation method), filtration on tissues, and disinfection by boiling. Ineffective home water treatment methods, such as oil and cresol were also used. The population is aware of water contamination during transport and storage. Unfortunately, most residents surveyed do not treat water before consumption, and those who treat it, use inappropriate methods. Thus, people must be made aware of the health benefits of using effective home water treatment methods and their correct use.

KAP, Home Water Treatment Methods, Ahomadégbé, Lalo

Amoukpo, H. , Bachirou, Z. , Diez, G. , Akuesson, L. , Lanignan, R. , Degnonvi, H. , Barogui, Y. , Boni, G. , Boko, M. and Johnson, R. (2018) Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of the Population of the District of Ahomadégbé (Municipality of Lalo) in Benin on Methods of Water Treatment at Home. Journal of Water Resource and Protection, 10, 251-265. doi: 10.4236/jwarp.2018.103015.