Water Supply and Health: Drinking water and Sanitation Coverage in Ethiopia 1990 - 2015 Review

Abstract:
Background: Human health, incorporating physical, social and psychological well-being, depends on an adequate supply of potable water and a safe environment sections. Waterborne infections are one of the commonest problems in developing countries. Access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation needs will eliminate vast part of water-borne disease cases. Objectives: to assess the trends safe water coverage and sanitary conditions in Ethiopia together with the challenges of the sector. Methods: In depth literature survey from online published peer reviewed articles, publications from international organization and Ethiopia ministry of health was used to assess the trend and access of improved water and sanitation coverage since 1990 to 2015 in Ethiopia. Results: Among 93 articles, 45 of them have important information and included in the quantitative review. To this end Ethiopia has reached the Millennium Development goal of access to safe water and the national coverage reached to 68.5% and 33% for sanitation facilities. Ethiopia is not on the right track to reach for sanitation target (47%) of 2015. The development trend for water coverage and sanitation facilities shows that urban dwellers (16% of the population) are more benefited than the rural (84%) citizens. Poor access of sanitation and improved drinking water in rural part is resulted due to improper planning, malfunction water scheme utilities, and other factors. Conclusions: Despite, the efforts made to increase the access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities to the population in the last 15 years; water related diseases are still one of the top ten diseases in the country. Protecting the source alone is not sufficient enough to reduce waterborne diseases unless point of use treatments and hygienic handling of water is practiced. Additional commitments and efforts are required post 2015 to assure the sustainability, access to the basic human right, water.

Keywords:
Ethiopia, Sanitation, Drinking water supply, waterborne diseases.

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