Quantification of microbial risk associated with fecal exposure in a nomadic lifestyle; case study of Turbi ward, Marsabit County

Abstract

Background: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) is the cornerstone for health and growth at all stages of life in helping to maintain health and increase in life span. Poor sanitation as lead to disease causing microorganisms such as E. coli to be on the rise. This study aimed to determine water and milk contamination of E. coli from nomadic community. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on water and milk samples using most probable number method to determine contamination as a result of poor sanitation in this community. Results: The dominant exposure pathway in this study was water pathway with high E. coli positivity, 20% (n=50) for dam water sampled, 20% (n=50) for pan and borehole feed water tanks 20% (n=50). Dam water sources analyzed had presence of 1.05 x1107CFU/ml and pan water sources 1.93x104 CFU/ml, which is above acceptable E. coli level in water for consumption is (10-40 CFU/ml)     Conclusions: Microbial contamination noted from this study indicates that there is poor sanitation in nomadic lifestyle. This study reaffirms the need for elaborate sanitation model tailored to the need of pastoralist community to reduce perennial faucal contamination of water sources for the community of Turbi ward. Elaborate sanitation model tailored to the need of pastoralist community to reduce perennial fecal contamination of water sources for the community of Turbi ward.