Abstract

HERNANDEZ VASQUEZ, Liseth; CHAMIZO GARCIA, Horacio  and  MORA ALVARADO, Darner. Quality of the water for human consumption and health: two studies of case in Costa Rica. Rev. costarric. salud pública [online]. 2011, vol.20, n.1, pp.25-30. ISSN 1409-1429.

Objective: To explain the risk of disease associated with the sanitary conditions of water supply systems of Saint Vincent and Colón Ciudad Quesada, in the north of Costa Rica. Materials and methods: Epidemiological transverse study. There was applied a questionnaire that allowed to compile information about the perceived morbidity, which indicates the presence of diarrheal infections, as well as the demographic characteristics of the population and the direct observation of the physical sanitary conditions of the geographical context. Results: Physical and sanitary conditions of water supply systems of Saint Vincent and Colón are not optimal, especially in the case of San Vicente which aqueduct demonstrates numerous critical points. There was stated, across an analysis of multivaried risk, the risk of suffering infections transmitted by the water, which can relate directly to the quality of the water, due to the lack of maintenance and infrastructure of the system of water supply. Likewise, the persons who live in housings with deficient managing of solid and liquid waste presented excess of risk. Conclusion: The results show the importance of involving other environmental health factors when analyzing the risks of illness associated with drinking water

Keywords : Water Quality; Risk; Environment; Public Health; Costa Rica.

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