COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PUBLIC AWARENESS AND HEALTH RISK CONCERNS OF DRINKING WATER QUALITY: QUESTIONNAIRE BASED SURVEY AND HOUSEHOLD RESPONSES FROM MULTAN AND BAHAWALPUR, PAKISTAN
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Keywords
Water quality, Respondents, Health, Water pollution, Concerned
Abstract
Fresh water resources are depleting globally and Pakistan is not an exemption to worldwide concern regarding water pollution. This research is design with an aim to evaluate public awareness of water quality, associated obligations and impact on human health in urban areas of Multan and Bahawalpur. For this a questionnaire survey was conducted to investigate socio-demography, general information of water quality, related water quality assessment as well as behavioral factor which affect public perception. Impact of these variables and there effect on human health was assessed by using linear regression and disruptive statistics. Finding revels that 34% respondents in Multan and 20% in Bahawalpur pay special attention to their drinking water quality while 33% and up to 40% are fairly concerned with their water quality. Among them major portion were also concerned of their health and effect on body after consuming poor quality of water. Furthermore, education level also helps differentiating in trust level between three groups. Gender also put a significant role in differentiating groups where male were relatively confident due to social networking then female. Majority of respondents also acknowledge a strong link between poor drinking water quality and health issues. Additionally, a good number of respondents also know typhoid and diarrhea is the major source of waterborne disease. This is quite interesting for public health officials and policymakers who could carry out initiatives to prevent public from water contamination. These findings are generally relevant and have national ramifications in low to medium income countries.
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Mahlab Ijaz
Mahlab Ijaz Phd Scholar (Phd In Health Sciences Specialized In Public Health) Faculty Of Medicine, Lincoln University College Malaysia
Dr. Suriyakla Perumal Chandran
Dr. Suriyakla Perumal Chandran Associate Professor Biochemistry And Genetics Unit Deputy Dean Md-Pre Clinical, Faculty Of Medicine, Lincoln University College Malaysia
Muhammad Ali
Dr. Muhammad Ali Assistant Professor Department Of Envoirmental Sciences, Faculty Of Agriculture, Islamia University Of Bahawalpur.