5 / 16
conferenceseries
.com
Volume 7
Journal of Infectious Diseases & Therapy
Page 30
Bacterial and Rare Diseases 2019
June 17-18, 2019
June 17-18, 2019 Dubai, UAE
Joint Meeting on
&
2
nd
Annual Congress on Bacterial, Viral and Infectious Diseases
6
th
International Conference on Rare Diseases & Orphan Drug
Nilanjana Ghosh, J Infect Dis Ther 2019, Volume 7
Potablewateranduncontaminated foodat everyhousehold:Dreamorreality?Astudyamong
tribal population of Naxalbari Block, Darjeeling district,West Bengal, India
Nilanjana Ghosh
North Bengal Medical College, India
Introduction & Objective:
Water quality, water behavior along with food quality, food behavior, domestic
environment and food handler’s hygiene play pivotal role in preventing food and water borne diseases.
Working women seemingly face more hazards and perceived negligence is higher in hilly tribal population.
Thus the pilot study was undertaken. The objective of the study is to assess water quality at source and
household level and cooked food quality, immediate domestic environment along with determining their
existing knowledge/practices regarding water and food handling techniques.
Method:
Descriptive community based cross-sectional study was conducted in collaboration with department
of microbiology from May-July 2018 in Kiranchandra Tea Estate. Water quality was assessed among all five
sources and selected 50 households using PA Coliform Kit. Water behavior was assessed in 187 households.
All 120 houses with women as permanent workers were studied for food behavior, food handler hygiene and
domestic environment. 50 selected houses were assessed for cooked food quality using PA H2SHi-Dip Media
Kit. Results were interpreted after 48 hours incubation and confirmed by culture.
Results: Contamination was noted in both open wells and 33 houses with E coli and Klebseilla. Improper
water carriage, storage and treatment were found in 67.2%, 76.3% and 88.2% cases respectively. Food quality
and domestic environment were inappropriate in 56.3% and 68.4% cases respectively. Illiteracy and lack of
administrative support were significantly associated.
Conclusion: Water and food was unfit for consumption in vast majority. Water and food behavior was
inappropriate. Identified causes need sustainable and viable solutions. A larger study is recommended.
Biography
Nilanjana Ghosh has completed her MBBS, MD in Public Health, DNB, MNAMS and DHM and PGDEPI. She is an Elected Member of
National Editorial Board IJPH and State Executive Committee Member of IAPSM.
drnilanjanaghosh@rediffmail.com