The majority of Nigerians lack access to a safe drinking water source, making sustainable and equitable access to safe drinking water a challenge. The current study was designed to evaluate the physicochemical quality of drinking water from various sources in 24 randomly selected communities throughout Abia State, Nigeria. These communities were selected from 8 Local Government Areas within the 3 senatorial zones of Abia State. Using sterile universal containers, water samples were  collected from the major drinking water sources in the selected communities. On-site evaluation of the pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS) and temperature of the water samples was carried out using a  HI9813-6 pH/EC/TDS/Temperature meter.  The pH values of the water samples from all sampled communities ranged between 4.1 and 5.9, and the acidic pH levels of the water samples were not within the Nigerian Industrial Standard's (NIS) approved range of 6.5 - 8.5. Furthermore, the water sources in the selected communities were found to have ambient temperatures ranging from 25.8 - 31.8oC. The average electrical conductivity (0.04 µS/cm) and total dissolved solids (36.4 mg/L) of water samples from all senatorial zones studied were both within acceptable limits of 1000 µS/cm and 500 mg/L respectively. Although the other parameters (temperature, EC and TDS) evaluated in this study were within acceptable limits for drinking water physicochemical quality, this study emphasizes the importance of effective water treatment, safe distribution to households, and continuous monitoring and quality assessment of drinking water sources in Nigeria.

Good personal hygiene among adolescent girls is essential for the prevention of bacterial infection. The objective of this study was to assess the bacteriological qualities of water, hand and vaginal swab samples of female adolescents in Aba, South-Eastern Nigeria. Water, hand and vaginal swab samples were collected from one hundred and thirty-four female adolescents residing in Aba metropolis in South-Eastern Nigeria. Sterile swab sticks was used to collect hand and vaginal swabs while a sterile container was used to collect water samples and taken to the laboratory for analysis. Results showed that out of the 134 water samples collected, Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in 47 (35.07%) samples; Escherichia coli 20 (14.93%); Bacillus subtilis; 12 (8.96%); Streptococcus faecalis 34 (25.37%); Enterococcus faecalis 11 (8.21%); Micrococcus luteus; 9 (6.72%). There was a significant amount (P< 0.05) of bacterial load in the water samples. Results also showed that out of the 134 hand swab samples collected, Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in 92 (68.66%) samples; Escherichia coli 24 (17.91%); Bacillus subtilis 17 (12.69%); Streptococcus faecalis 64 (47.76%); Enterococcus faecalis 23 (17.16%); Micrococcus luteus 16 (11.94%). There was a significant amount (P< 0.05) of bacterial load on the hand swab samples. Results also showed that out of the 134 vaginal swab samples collected, Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in 115 (85.82%); Escherichia coli 122 (91.04%); Bacillus subtilis 43 (32.09%); Streptococcus faecalis 102 (76.12%); Enterococcus faecalis 32 (23.88%); Micrococcus luteus 25 (18.66%). There was also a significant amount (P< 0.05) of bacterial load on the vaginal swab samples. In conclusion, there was a significant amount of bacteria isolates obtained from the water, hand and vaginal samples among the adolescent girls. Health education and enlightenment programmes for adolescent girls were recommended. Keywords: Bacterium, Water, Hand, Vagina, Hygiene, Adolescent.

Proper menstrual hygiene management is essential for the good health of women. Access to clean water and sanitary facilities is essential for maintaining good hygiene. The objective of this study was to assess the menstrual hygiene management practices among female secondary school students in Umuahia, South-Eastern Nigeria. This study was a cross-sectional descriptive study of which a well-structured questionnaire was administered among secondary school girls in Umuahia, Nigeria. Results showed that for “washing of hands with soap and running water”, 20 students representing 9.52% indicated very high level (VH) of practice, 28 students representing 13.33% indicated high level (H) of practice, while 64(30.48%) and 98 (46.67%) indicated low level (LL) and very low level (VL) of practice respectively. For “washing of hands before meals” 107 (50.95%) and 62 (29.52%) indicated that they did it to a VH and H respectively, while 29 (13.81%) and 12 (5.71%) respectively indicated LL and VL of practice. The results also showed that the absorbent most used was a disposable sanitary pad. The most common frequency of change of absorbent was twice a day. Ten (10) students representing 7.14% very often used reusable cloth/towel, 4(2.86%) very often used tampon, 78 representing 55.71% very often used disposable sanitary pad, 0(0.00%) very often used menstrual cup, while 8 representing 5.71% very often used toilet paper/tissue. The most frequently adopted rate of changing absorbents by students was twice a day (morning and night). The results showed that 68 (48.57%) of the students very often (VOF) changed their absorbents twice a day, while 16 (11.43%) rarely changed their absorbent twice a day. The findings of this study indicated that the menstrual hygiene management practices among the students were very poor. Adequate health promotion for secondary school girls and provision of basic toilet facilities at these schools was recommended. Keywords: Menstruation, Hygiene, Hand-washing, Absorbents, Sanitation.