Level of Faecal Coliform Contamination of Drinking Water Sources and Its Associated Risk Factors in Rural Settings of North Gondar Zone, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Community Based Study

BACKGROUND: Today, close to a billion people mostl living in the developing world do not have access to safe and adequate water. Several studies in Ethiopia indicate that the majority of the drinking water sources had coliform count beyond the WHO standard. Therefore, Regular quality control mechanisms need to be in place. The objective of this study is therefore to determine the level of faecal coliform contamination of drinking water and its associated factors in North Gondar Zone, Ethiopia. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in rural parts of North Gondar Zone from April to July, 2016. Water samples were taken from water sources using standardized water sampling techniques. Face-to-face interview with structured questionnaires were used to collect socio-economic and behavioral data. Univariate and multivariate analyses were done using logistic regression models. RESULTS: A total of 736 households participated in the study. The prevalence of positive faecal coliform at water sources in North Gondar Zone was found to be 56.5% (n=416) with [95% CI (53–60)]. In multivariate analysis, educational status [(AOR): 0.28, 95% CI (0.1–0.8], sanitary risk of contamination [AOR): 513, 95%CI (51–511)] and water shortage experience [AOR: 0.25, 95% CI (0.12–0.5)] are variables identified as predictors for faecal coliform contamination of water in the source. CONCLUSION: In this study, the prevalence of positive faecal coliform at water source was high. Educational status, sanitary Risk of contamination at the water source, water shortage experience had significant associations with the presence of faecal coliform in drinking water sources.