The impact of an inadequate municipal water system on the residents of Chinhoyi town, Zimbabwe.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the use and impact of the water reticulation system in Chinhoyi on its residents.


METHODS
Cross sectional and case series studies.


METHODS
Chinhoyi town.


METHODS
600 Chinhoyi residents.


METHODS
Practices and perceptions of Chinhoyi residents on the water system, and distribution of water-related diseases per area of residence.


RESULTS
Out of 600 respondents, 565 (99.3%) had access to piped water and 558 (98.0%) to flush toilets. Breakdowns of water supply and functioning of toilet facility were reported by 308 (77.0%) and 110 (28.0%) respondents in the previous six months, respectively. Main complaints of Chinhoyi residents were about low water quality (36.2%), inadequate sewage system (31.3%) and environmental pollution (26.5%). Cases of water-related diseases were not associated with natural water bodies.


CONCLUSIONS
Chinhoyi residents have good access to the municipal water and an adequate sanitation system. However, low quality of the water, frequent system breakdowns and the degradation and loss of amenity of the environment impair their quality of life.
Schwartz
U
U
Department of Community Medicine, University of Zimbabwe Medical School, Avondale, Harare.
Siziya
S
S
Tshimanga
M
M
Barduagni
P
P
Chauke
T L
TL
D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009017:Morbidity; D011788:Quality of Life; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014038:Toilet Facilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014867:Water / Q000469:parasitology*; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014881:Water Supply / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015030:Zimbabwe / Q000453:epidemiology
D014867:Water