Promoting safe drinking water.
Ensuring access to safe drinking water is a major public health concern. The outbreaks of disease from water-borne pathogens in communities like Walkerton and North Battleford alerted the federal government to the need for a standardized multi-barrier approach to managing public drinking water distribution systems. Although many provinces and territories have adopted such an approach, there are problems with water quality throughout Canada. Between 1997 and 2004, the authors conducted a community health needs and resources assessment study in Newfoundland and Labrador to assess health beliefs and practices, satisfaction with health and community services and concerns in relation to community health. The data collection methods used were a random household survey (N = 2,842), key informant interviews (N = 86) and focus group sessions (N = 22). The results indicated that the quality of drinking water was of serious concern. In this article, the authors discuss the study findings and the implications for nursing practice in relation to developing healthy public policy and population health initiatives.
Pike-MacDonald
Sandra
S
School of Nursing, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's.
Best
Donna G
DG
Twomey
Creina
C
Bennett
Lorna
L
Blakeley
Judith
J
D001294:Attitude to Health; D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D018672:Community Health Planning; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009523:Newfoundland and Labrador; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D011634:Public Health; D017751:Safety Management; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014876:Water Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018508:Water Purification; D014881:Water Supply / Q000592:standards*