A Study of Attitude and Practices Towards Water Safety amongst Troops during Move
Journal Title: International Journal of Contemporary Medical Research - Year 2017, Vol 4, Issue 10
Abstract
Introduction: Water safety and subsequent water discipline is of paramount importance to troops of any army. Troops in India frequently suffer from water borne diseases because of the nature of their duty and the omnipresence of the causative organism in the environment. This is compounded by the large amount of movements undertaken by the troops. The study was undertaken to analyze water and food safety practices among troops while on move as well as to examine whether there are certain modifiable factors which are having a direct bearing on such practices. Material and Methods: A retrospective study was carried out by self-administering a pretested questionnaire to troops reporting back from leave from eight randomly selected regiments, during a three-month period. Baseline data on was collected on their socio demographic parameters as also various types of movements, their attitude and practice of drinking water during journeys and also on food habits. Results: Risky behavior of consuming water and food from unauthorized sources was seen in 10% and 7% respectively. Almost 35% did not carry water in-person and probably purchased pre-packaged water bottles en-route. One third of the study population encountered difficulty while refilling/ collecting water like long queues, irregular halts, non-stop journeys and unhygienic sources. Association of sociodemographic factors on the frequency of use of water sterilizing tablets brought out that the common perception that factors like education, marriage and higher service would make a person more mature and thus would adopt safer practice of use of water sterilizing formulations was established as incorrect in the study. While education does make a person more aware, and hence should have a positive outcome on the food and water discipline during travel; yet did not necessarily lead to better hygienic practices. Association of socio-demographic and travel factors on the water and food discipline also revealed facts which are contrary to popular belief. Conclusion: Although the troops generally have high level of awareness on the hygiene and sanitation aspects, that did not necessarily result into practice of good food and water discipline during travel and more importantly was unrelated to socio-demographic factors like education, prolonged service and marriage.
Authors and Affiliations
Saibal Adhya, A. K. Srivastava, Atul Kotwal, Arun Tyagi
Keywords
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