Drinking water quality, hygiene practice and health symptoms among Pos Kemar Orang Asli community in Gerik, Hulu Perak (Malaysia)

Sukri, Nurul Shafiqah (2024) Drinking water quality, hygiene practice and health symptoms among Pos Kemar Orang Asli community in Gerik, Hulu Perak (Malaysia). [Project Paper] (Submitted)

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Abstract

Introduction: Orang Asli in Malaysia constitute 0.7% of the population in Peninsular Malaysia and nearly 60% in East Malaysia. However, their health condition is considerably poorer compared to the overall population of Malaysia (Rhule & Thoo, 2018). According to the World Health Organization/United Nations Children's Fund Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene 2015 report, 92% of Malaysians have access to well-managed water supply systems, and 82% have access to safe sanitation services (Heller, 2018). However, it is quite concerning that there are another 8% of Malaysian communities mostly in villages area did not get their basic rights to have a proper managed water supply system as it may have indirect negative health impacts, such as maintaining optimal hygiene practices and preventing the spread of infections can be challenging (Ratelle et al., 2022). Objectives: To provide understanding of drinking water quality and health symptoms among Orang Asli community in Gerik, Hulu Perak. Methodology: This study used a cross-sectional study and simple random sampling involving 50 respondents from Pos Kemar, Hulu Perak. This study was divided into two stages which are questionnaire and drinking water analysis (pH, turbidity, conductivity, temperature and E. coli). Identification of E. coli was carried out by membrane filtration technique. Results and Discussion: In this study, female participants (60.0%) were higher than male participants (40.0%). Based on the survey, 100.0% of the respondents in this study used river or hill water as their drinking water source, and 80.0% of the respondents being aware of water treatment method such as boiling water, but 74.0% of the respondents did not have basic sanitation facilities. the findings of the study also showed there was no significant association between E. coli in drinking water with health symptoms received by the respondents. Conclusion: This study found that all respondents relied on river or hill water for drinking, while 80.0% were aware of water treatment methods like boiling. However, 74.0% lacked basic sanitation facilities, resulting in open defecation. Despite this, no significant link was established between E. coli in drinking water and health symptoms. Nevertheless, 26.0% of respondents attributed their health issues to drinking water. Keywords: Water quality, E. coli, Hygiene practice, Health symptoms

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
Depositing User:	Ms Norafizah Radzuan
Date Deposited:	29 Apr 2025 06:23
Last Modified:	29 Apr 2025 06:23
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/2383

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