Facts and Figures from East Africa

One of the most significant concerns in many developing countries is ill health caused by inadequate water sanitation and supply (Tumwine et al, 2002). Tumwine et al, conducted an analytical study on the socio-demographic characteristics of domestic water use within East Africa. Focusing on the prevalence of diarrhoea in the 1015 surveyed households in Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya the following results were recorded for diarrhoeal presence per country from the years 1967-1997.

·         Kenya, increase from 6%-18%

·         Uganda, increase from 16%-21%

·         Tanzania, decline from 11%-18%

The study concluded that main determinants of diarrhoea morbidity were poor hygiene caused by the unsafe disposal of faeces and wastewater, the education level of the household head, and the water source (surface sources or well). The benefits of sections service improvement to diarrhoea are as follows.

-          25% improved water availability.

-          22% improved excreta disposal.

-          16% improved water quality.

Further illustrating the role of sanitation to disease prevalence and highlighting focal areas for management programmes.