Faculty
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Abstract
The health and safety of children is a contributing factor to attendance in school and optimum academic performance. Having access to water, sanitation and hygiene factors prevents disease outbreaks among other benefits. This study was carried out to assess the WASH status of Faith Immaculate College and May and Steve Academy in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Water samples were collected from both schools and subjected to analysis of selected physicochemical and microbiological parameters. The WASH status of the schools was evaluated using data gathered through a questionnaire. From the results obtained, the physicochemical quality of the water in the schools were all within the permissible limits for pH, chloride, nitrite and biochemical oxygen demand as recommended by the World Health Organisation. Microbiological analysis revealed that the total heterotrophic bacterial counts (3.5 x 10 1 - 8.0 x 10 1cfu/ml) and total fungal counts (2.0 x 10 1 - 5.0 x 10 1cfu/ml) were within permissible limits. However, the total coliform counts (4 - 17MPN/100ml) far exceeded the limit Centres for Disease Control limit and indicates a potential health risk when consumed. The bacterial isolates from this study were Escherichia coli, Klebsiella sp., Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus sp. while the fungal isolates are Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, Mucor sp. and Penicillium citrinum. The antimicrobial susceptibility pattern showed that only ciprofloxacin was effective in the treatment of all bacterial isolates. The assessment of WASH status revealed that there was water available at both schools and the sanitary facilities were adequate, although waste management at Faith Immaculate College was not satisfactory. Therefore, it is recommended that water treatment be carried out to improve its quality, while more efforts should be made to improve waste management practices especially in Faith Immaculate College.
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