Assessing The Effect of Water Shortage on Hygiene-Related Health Risks of Local Residents in Danao City

Abstract

Water shortage poses a significant threat to public health. This study looks at the effects of water shortage to hygiene-related health risks to the local residents, more specifically, residents from Danao City, Philippines. The researchers conducted qualitative research, interviewing 20 residents from Guinsay and Guinacot, Danao City, assessing the possible health risks due to the lack of access to clean water, the challenges faced upon maintaining proper hygiene practices, and the mitigation strategies adopted by the local residents who experience limited water supply. Residents express their concerns about the potential health risk from this issue and its effects to their hygiene practices, and they also expressed how lack of access to clean water or possible contamination of water resources can lead to detrimental effects. Mitigating this issue can be done by resource management, water conservation, informing local authorities, and storing water for later use. Although sustainable solutions such as conservation and stockpiling are not viable in solving the problem in the long run, the government will need to intervene and ensure that the health and well-being of the community is prioritized. So this research highlights the very urgent need to ensure the importance of providing solutions to problems like these in order to mitigate the negative effects that it may bring forth.