In pursuit of 'safe' water: the burden of personal injury from water fetching in 21 low-income and middle-income countries. Issue 10 (28th October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Venkataramanan, Vidya; Geere, Jo-Anne L; Thomae, Benjamin; Stoler, Justin; Hunter, Paul R; Young, Sera L
• Other Names: author non-byline.; Adams Ellis author non-byline.; Ahmed Jam Farooq author non-byline.; Alexander Mallika author non-byline.; Balogun Mobolanle author non-byline.; Boivin Michael J. author non-byline.; Brewis Alexandra author non-byline.; Carrillo Genny author non-byline.; Chapman Kelly author non-byline.; Cole Stroma author non-byline.; Collins Shalean M. author non-byline.; Escobar-Vargas Jorge author non-byline.; Eini-Zinab Hassan author non-byline.; Freeman Matthew C. author non-byline.; Ghattas Hala author non-byline.; Ghorbani Monet author non-byline.; Hagaman Ashley author non-byline.; Jamaluddine Zeina author non-byline.; Jepson Wendy E. author non-byline.; Krishnakumar Divya author non-byline.; Maes Kenneth author non-byline.; Mathad Jyoti author non-byline.; Maupin Jonathan author non-byline.; Melgar-Quiñonez Hugo author non-byline.; Miller Joshua D. author non-byline.; Morales Milton Marin author non-byline.; Moran Javier author non-byline.; Omidvar Nasrin author non-byline.; Owuor Patrick M. author non-byline.; Rasheed Sabrina author non-byline.; Rosinger Asher Y. author non-byline.; Samayoa-Figueroa Luisa author non-byline.; Santoso Marianne V. author non-byline.; Schuster Roseanne C. author non-byline.; Sheikhi Mahdieh author non-byline.; Srivastava Sonali author non-byline.; Staddon Chad author non-byline.; Sullivan Andrea author non-byline.; Tesfaye Yihenew author non-byline.; Triviño Nathaly author non-byline.; Trowell Alex author non-byline.; Tshala-Katumbay Desire author non-byline.; Tutu Raymond author non-byline.; Wutich Amber author non-byline.;
• Is Part Of: BMJ global health. Volume 5:Issue 10(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-10-28
• Subjects: maternal health -- public health -- injury -- cross-sectional survey; World health -- Periodicals; 362.105
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-003328
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2059-7908

Abstract

Abstract : Introduction: Water fetching for household needs can cause injury, but documentation of the burden of harm globally has been limited. We described the frequency, characteristics and correlates of water-fetching injuries in 24 sites in 21 low-income and middle-income countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean. Methods: In a survey of 6291 randomly selected households, respondents reported whether and how they had experienced water-fetching injuries. Responses were coded for injury type, mechanism, bodily location and physical context. We then identified correlates of injury using a multilevel, mixed-effects logistic regression model. Results: Thirteen per cent of respondents reported at least one water-fetching injury. Of 879 injuries, fractures and dislocations were the most commonly specified type (29.2%), and falls were the most commonly specified mechanism (76.4%). Where specified, 61.1% of injuries occurred to the lower limbs, and dangerous terrain (69.4%) was the most frequently reported context. Significant correlates included being female (aOR=1.50, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.96); rural (aOR=4.80, 95% CI 2.83 to 8.15) or periurban residence (aOR=2.75, 95% CI 1.64 to 4.60); higher household water insecurity scores (aOR=1.09, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.10) and reliance on surface water (aOR=1.97, 95% CI 1.21 to 3.22) or off-premise water sources that required queueing (aOR=1.72, 95% CI 1.19 to 2.49). Conclusion: These data suggest that water-fetching injuries are an underappreciated and largely unmeasured public health challenge. We offer guidelines for comprehensive data collection on injuries to better capture the true burden of inadequate water access. Such data can guide the design of interventions to reduce injury risk and promote equitable water access solutions.