Impact of Rural Water Supply and Health on Community Development in Bayelsa State

Abstract

This study was designed to determine the impact of rural water supply and health on community development in Bayelsa State. To achieve the purpose of this study, five research questions were raised and answered. The descriptive survey research design was employed for this study. The population of this study includes three thousand eight hundred and twenty-seven (3,827) adult indigenes in six (6) communities in Bayelsa State while a total sample of three hundred and seventy-nine (379) respondents was used as a sample for the study. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire which was validated and pre-tested to determine its reliability. Data generated were analysed with Frequency count, percentage and mean score analyses. Findings from the study revealed that sources of potable water supply available in Bayelsa State include rivers, streams, boreholes and wells. The most common water-related diseases associated with the level of water supply in rural communities of Bayelsa include cholera, typhoid, dysentery, skin infections, diarrhoea, and guinea worm and water-related diseases affect active participation of the community people in rural development efforts or activities by affecting the health of [1]community people, making people indisposed to community activities. It also prevents people from interacting properly with others and more strength is devoted to the search for cure than community matters. Based on the findings and conclusions from the study, it was recommended that government authorities should make adequate provision for accessible water to the community people. In addition, community education practices should include issues such as water treatment procedures and environmental sanitation activities to avoid the prevalence of water-related diseases. Finally, relevant agencies and organisations should make efforts to educate community members on the disadvantages of open defecation and the harmful effects of contaminated water as well as methods of purifying water