Assessment of water handling practices in households and related health impacts: a case study in Deyniile District, Mogadishu, Somalia.

Background: Access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation is essential for maintaining public health. This study investigates water collection, treatment practices, perceptions of water safety, and their health impacts within a community. Understanding these aspects is crucial for developing interventions to enhance water safety and health outcomes.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 360 households in the community and the study subjects were selected randomly from these households. Data was collected through a survey conducted in 360 households, focusing on water collection methods, types of containers, water treatment practices, and sanitation and hygiene behaviors, perceptions of water safety, and the health effects of unsafe water. Descriptive statistics was applied to analyze the frequency and percentage distributions of the variables using SPSS version 20.0.

Results: The most common containers for water collection were jerricans (44.2%) and plastic containers (38.6%). While 74.7% of the containers were covered, a notable portion remained uncovered (25.3%). Although 72.8% of respondents believed their water was safe to drink, only 58.1% of the respondents treated their water. Boiling was the most common water treatment method (36.3%), followed by filtration (31.1%) and chemical treatment (30.6%). The primary reasons for not treating water ( = 151) included the belief that water was already clean (62 respondents, 41.1%) and lack of knowledge about water treatment (60 respondents, 39.7%). There was a major recognition of the health effects of unsafe water, with 38.3% associating it with diarrhea and 30.3% with cholera. However, 47.5% did not link water quality to health, indicating gaps in knowledge. The majority of households used toilets (76.9%), but open defecation (13.9%) and improper waste disposal practices, such as disposing of wastewater into open drains (37.5%), were prevalent. Most households consumed more than 20 L of water daily (63.6%), with monthly expenditures on water varying widely. While 40.6% of households spent $1–5 per month on water, a small but major portion faced higher costs.

Conclusions: The study reveals that the community is aware of the importance of water safety and sanitation, but faces challenges in consistent water treatment and wastewater disposal. There is a need for enhanced awareness and education on the health risks of untreated water and support for affordable treatment methods. Improving sanitation infrastructure and providing equitable access to safe drinking water are critical for better health outcomes. Policy interventions and community engagement are essential to address these issues and ensure sustainable water safety practices.