Faecal exposure pathways among nomadic communities (Kenya)

Tens of millions of people across the world, mostly children, die of sanitation- related illness. Proper sanitation and water management is key to contain the spread of enteric pathogens in the urban, peri-urban and rural set-ups. Faecal exposure pathways assessment tool is used to determine specific gaps in sanitation pathways that pose hazards to the environment and affect health of the population. Diarrheal cases in Turbi ward among under-fives reported at the five health facilities were 944. The study aimed at determining faecal exposure pathways among nomadic communities in Turbi ward of Marsabit County.
Findings indicated that 68% (n=100) of the population sampled from five (5) selected villages used untreated surface water for domestic purposes. In addition, 67% (n=37) and 58% (n=37) of milk samples and swapped milk containers respectively had significantly high levels of Escherichia coli bacteria. The dominant exposure pathway was water pathway with high Escherichia coli positivity of 20% (n=50) for dam water, with other sources at 20% (n=50). Approximately 91% (n=100) of the population lacked toilet facilities and 80% (n=100) disposed of faecal waste into open fields which could be attributed to the nomadic lifestyle. Thus, provision of essential sanitary facilities can reduce the risk of cross contamination of water sources. The need for elaborate sanitation model tailored to the needs of pastoral communities cannot be overemphasized.