Analysis of Water Quality in Flood-Prone Areas Based on E.Coli Levels and The Incidence of Diarrhea Among Toddlers in The Service Area of The Nagaswidak Community Health Center Palembang City

Abstract

Diarrhea remains a major health problem for toddlers, especially in flood-prone areas with a high risk of environmental pollution to household water sources. Flood conditions have the potential to bring fecal contaminants into water sources, thereby increasing the presence of E. coli bacteria that can cause diarrhea. Based on these conditions, this study aims to analyze the relationship between water quality in flood-prone areas based on E. coli content and the incidence of diarrhea in toddlers in the working area of the Nagaswidak Community Health Center in Palembang City. The study used an observational analytical design with a cross-sectional approach. The sample in the study consisted of 92 mothers with toddlers aged 0-60 months who were selected using a proportional random sampling technique. Water quality examination was carried out through analysis of E. coli content in household water sources. Data were analyzed bivariately using the chi-square test and the Prevalence Ratio value was calculated. The results showed a significant relationship between the age of toddlers 0-60 months (p-value = 0.000), water quality based on E. coli content (p-value = 0.000), and household water storage containers (p-value = 0.001) with the incidence of diarrhea in toddlers. Meanwhile, clean water sources were not significantly related (p-value = 0.009), and household clean water treatment was not significantly related (p-value = 0.117). The potential for recontamination, hygiene practices, and flood-prone environmental conditions are suspected to be factors causing diarrhea. It was concluded that there was a significant relationship between toddler age, water quality based on E. coli content, and storage container conditions with the incidence of diarrhea in toddlers. The presence of E. coli in water storage containers indicates fecal contamination that has the potential to increase the risk of diarrhea. It is recommended to prevent diarrhea by improving environmental sanitation and increasing public education regarding safe water treatment and storage, especially in flood-prone areas.