Risk Factors of Water-Borne Diseases: With a Provision of Water

The program is a two-year initiative approved by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under the Sindh Municipal Services Program. The Government of Sindh has entrusted the Jacobabad Municipality to operate and manage the USAID-funded water project. The local government institutions in Jacobabad face several challenges, including unclear institutional roles, lack of planning capacity, and technical expertise to operate the water supply system at par with national standards. The municipality employs 864 staff, mostly sanitation workers, but lacks technical staff. The staff has not received in-service training in the last seven years, and there is a need for focused capacity building and training on financial management, planning, management information systems, communication, monitoring and evaluation, and citizen involvement. The transmission of water-related diseases is a significant concern in Jacobabad. Waterborne-microbiological diseases, waterborne-chemical diseases, water hygiene diseases, water contact diseases, water vector habitat diseases, and excreta disposal diseases are all risk factors associated with waterborne diseases. Diarrheal diseases, cholera, bacillary dysentery (shigellosis), amebiasis, giardiasis, typhoid fever, paratyphoid fever, salmonellosis, leptospirosis, tularemia, and hepatitis A are some of the waterborne diseases prevalent in the region. The risk factors of waterborne diseases include poor sanitation, inadequate water treatment, and lack of access to clean drinking water. The city's water supply system is plagued by issues such as unclear institutional roles, lack of planning capacity, and technical expertise. The municipality's staff lacks training, and there is a shortage of technical staff. The repeated theme of lack of coordination between the Provincial Government and Municipality has several shortcomings, resulting in an irregular supply of clean drinking water. The provision of water is critical in preventing waterborne diseases. The program aims to provide safely managed water supply services to the city's population. The implementation of water treatment technologies, such as physical removal, pretreatment to enhance removal, disinfection, and secondary effects, can reduce health risks associated with waterborne diseases. The role of water supply from the filter plant to the distribution system in Jacobabad is also crucial in preventing waterborne diseases. The evidence of improved sources of drinking water is essential in reducing the risk of waterborne diseases. The hospital data from Civil Hospital Jacobabad reveals that waterborne diseases are a significant public health concern in the city. The waterborne disease affecting age groups in Jacobabad is a critical issue, with children and the elderly being the most vulnerable populations. The waterborne disease affecting location in Jacobabad is also a concern, with certain areas of the city being more prone to waterborne diseases due to inadequate water treatment and supply.