Typhoid Fever in Kano State: The Role of Access to Water and Sanitation

Abstract

Typhoid fever is a significant cause of illness and death especially among children and young adults in developing countries due to poor sanitation and unsafe food and water supply particularly where the water is contaminated by human feaces. This study examined the roles of socioeconomic, access to water and sanitation in the prevalence of typhoid fever in Kano state. Questionnaire survey and focused group discussion were employed to generate data on their access to water and food handling habits and access to toilet and toilet handling habits from the respondents in areas of high prevalence. Cross tabulations, chi-square and graphs were used to examine these factors. The result showed access to water, hand washing after using toilet and before eating was found to be significantly associated with typhoid fever infection in the study area. It also showed significant variation between urban and rural Kano with p values ranging from 0.000-0.007. The study recommends frequent vaccination, provision of clean and portable water and sanitation, sustained hygienic eating and drinking habits as well as hygienic practices at home and outside homes as measures for addressing the problem.