Microbiological Quality And Health Risks Of Packaged Water Produced In Southern Ghana

Ampofo, JA; Andoh, Atsuko; Tetteh, Wilhermina; Bello, Muhammad Yahuza

doi:10.4314/jast.v12i1.17477

Cited by 10 publications

(7 citation statements)

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“…Most studies were from sub-Saharan Africa (31%) or Latin America (23%) ( Fig 2 ). Very few studies were conducted in rural (3%, n = 5) [ 42 , 56 , 102 , 120 , 134 ] or peri-urban settings (2%, n = 4) [ 161 , 170 , 185 , 200 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Fecal Contamination and Inadequate Treatment of Packaged Water

Williams¹,

Bain

Fisher³

et al. 2015

PLoS ONE

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BackgroundPackaged water products provide an increasingly important source of water for consumption. However, recent studies raise concerns over their safety.ObjectivesTo assess the microbial safety of packaged water, examine differences between regions, country incomes, packaged water types, and compare packaged water with other water sources.MethodsWe performed a systematic review and meta-analysis. Articles published in English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Turkish, with no date restrictions were identified from online databases and two previous reviews. Studies published before April 2014 that assessed packaged water for the presence of Escherichia coli, thermotolerant or total coliforms were included provided they tested at least ten samples or brands.ResultsA total of 170 studies were included in the review. The majority of studies did not detect fecal indicator bacteria in packaged water (78/141). Compared to packaged water from upper-middle and high-income countries, packaged water from low and lower-middle-income countries was 4.6 (95% CI: 2.6–8.1) and 13.6 (95% CI: 6.9–26.7) times more likely to contain fecal indicator bacteria and total coliforms, respectively. Compared to all other packaged water types, water from small bottles was less likely to be contaminated with fecal indicator bacteria (OR = 0.32, 95%CI: 0.17–0.58) and total coliforms (OR = 0.10, 95%CI: 0.05, 0.22). Packaged water was less likely to contain fecal indicator bacteria (OR = 0.35, 95%CI: 0.20, 0.62) compared to other water sources used for consumption.ConclusionsPolicymakers and regulators should recognize the potential benefits of packaged water in providing safer water for consumption at and away from home, especially for those who are otherwise unlikely to gain access to a reliable, safe water supply in the near future. To improve the quality of packaged water products they should be integrated into regulatory and monitoring frameworks.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Fecal Contamination and Inadequate Treatment of Packaged Water

Williams¹,

Bain

Fisher³

et al. 2015

PLoS ONE

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“…Because many sachet producers are small-scale cottage industries, Ghanaian regulatory agencies, such as the Food and Drugs Board and Ghana Standards Board, have had difficulty tracking the sachet industry's rapid growth and ensuring quality control. Recent research on sachet water has primarily focused on sub-standard quality and potential disease transmission in Ghana (Addo et al, 2009; Ampofo et al, 2007; Dodoo et al, 2006; Kwakye-Nuako et al, 2007; Obiri-Danso et al, 2003), and Nigeria (Adenkunle et al, 2004; Ejechi and Ejechi, 2008; Ifeanyi et al, 2006; Nwosu and Ogueke, 2004; Olaoye and Onilude, 2009; Onifade and Ilori, 2008; Orisakwe et al, 2006; Oyedeji et al, 2010), with some elaboration on health impact. Although not every study has found sachet water quality to be troublesome (Egwari et al, 2005; Olowe et al, 2005), there is generally a bias toward the publication of negative findings.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

When urban taps run dry: Sachet water consumption and health effects in low income neighborhoods of Accra, Ghana

et al. 2012

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Intraurban differentials in safe drinking water in developing cities have been exacerbated by rapid population growth that exceeds expansion of local water infrastructure. In Accra, Ghana, municipal water is rationed to meet demand, and the gap in water services is increasingly being filled by private water vendors selling packaged “sachet” water. Sachets extend drinking water coverage deeper into low-income areas and alleviate the need for safe water storage, potentially introducing a health benefit over stored tap water. We explore correlates of using sachets as the primary drinking water source for 2,093 women in 37 census areas classified as slums by UN-Habitat, and links between sachet water and reported diarrhea episodes in a subset of 810 children under five. We find that neighborhood rationing exerts a strong effect on a household's likelihood of buying sachet water, and that sachet customers tend to be the poorest of the poor. Sachet use is also associated with higher levels of self-reported overall health in women, and lower likelihood of diarrhea in children. We conclude with implications for sachet regulation in Accra and other sub-Saharan cities facing drinking water shortages.

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“…Several studies have reported poor bacteriologic or physiochemical quality of sachet water in Ghana over the past decade, [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] although a recent review of this literature through 2010 found that most sachet quality studies have suffered design flaws such as tiny samples sizes or egregiously nonrandom sampling. 3 The sachet water industry has also undergone significant transformation since the late 2000s because many cottage-industry players have been replaced by large corporate-type producers who are importing heavy industrial machinery to filter and process sachet and bottled water.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sachet Water Quality and Brand Reputation in Two Low-Income Urban Communities in Greater Accra, Ghana

Stoler¹,

Tutu²,

Ahmed³

et al. 2014

The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

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Abstract. Sachet water has become an important primary source of drinking water in western Africa, but little is known about bacteriologic quality and improvements to quality control given the recent, rapid evolution of this industry. This report examines basic bacteriologic indicators for 60 sachet water samples from two very low-income communities in Accra, Ghana, and explores the relationship between local perceptions of brand quality and bacteriologic quality after controlling for characteristics of the vending environment. No fecal contamination was detected in any sample, and 82% of total heterotrophic bacteria counts were below the recommended limit for packaged water. Sachets from brands with a positive reputation for quality were 90% less likely to present any level of total heterotrophic bacteria after controlling for confounding factors. These results contrast with much of the recent sachet water quality literature and may indicate substantial progress in sachet water regulation and quality control.

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Microbiological Quality And Health Risks Of Packaged Water Produced In Southern Ghana

Cited by 10 publications

References 0 publications

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Fecal Contamination and Inadequate Treatment of Packaged Water

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Fecal Contamination and Inadequate Treatment of Packaged Water

When urban taps run dry: Sachet water consumption and health effects in low income neighborhoods of Accra, Ghana

Sachet Water Quality and Brand Reputation in Two Low-Income Urban Communities in Greater Accra, Ghana

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