Prevalence and associated factors of microbial water quality from drinking water in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis study

Asmamaw Deguale Worku , Bezatu Mengistie, Abreham Mota

Introduction

Drinking water contamination is a worldwide problem and causes a major public health threat, with most water contamination prevalent in developing countries, including Ethiopia. There is no pooled overall prevalence of fecal coliform contamination and its contributing factors in drinking water in Ethiopia.

Method

The review was conducted under the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and registered in PROSPERO CRD42024537804. The following databases were used: PubMed/MEDLINE, Worldwide Science, Google Scholar, and Science Direct. Two independent reviewers identified studies, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias, and methodological quality. Statistical techniques like Higgins I2 were used to investigate heterogeneity among the included studies. A funnel plot was developed to evaluate reporting bias, and Begg’s and Egger’s tests were used to check funnel plot symmetries.

Result

The overall pooled prevalence of fecal coliform contamination of drinking water in study area was 55% (95% CI: 34, 77). Factors such as improved water sources, humans sharing their house with animals, water shortage experience, and educational status were significantly associated with fecal coliform contamination. All factors had high heterogeneity, and we used a random effect model to estimate the pooled odd ratio.

Conclusion

The pooled prevalence of fecal coliform contamination of drinking water was considerably high. Consumption of drinking water from improved water sources, shortages of water, shared houses with animals, and educational statuses were significantly associated with fecal coliform contamination of drinking water in the country. All concerned body ought to provide due attention.