Presence of escherichia coli in selected recreational water sites in Hulu Langat and their healths effect among children / Ahmad Zamzuri Mohd Nazar

The objectives of this research was to ascertain densities of E. coli from selected recreational water sites in Hulu Langat, Sungai Congkak and Sungai Gabai and health effects among children. This cross sectional study was conducted with 52 respondents from Sungai Congkak and Sungai Gabai who swam there and exposed to the E. coli contamination, Water samples were taken and subjected to bacteriological analysis using Membrane filtration Technique to determine density of E. coli. Physical measurements included turbidity, pH value and temperature. Sanitary survey was conducted to determine possible factors that contribute to E. coli contamination. All respondent also had to answer several questions on respondent's backgrounds and health history to determine sign and symptom of E. coli exposure. The findings indicate that all results of density off. coli in Sungai Congkak and Sungai Gabai were exceeding the acceptable density from WHO which is 126cfu/100ml. Therefore, it can be concluded that Sungai Congkak and Sungai Gabai were not safe for swimming. ANOVA test shows there has no significant difference between densities of E. coli at each point in Sungai Congkak (p=0.054), while there were significant differences in densities of E. coli between each point in Sungai Gabai (p=0.00). Suspected sources of E. coli contamination at Sungai Congkak and Sungai Gabai include stormwater, refuse and bather itself and the most common sign and symptom was diarrhea for both Sungai Congkak and Sungai Gabai. In order to prevent recreational water illnesses (R Wis) there has several recommendations for Ministry of Health, recreational water sites managements, swimmers and parents with young kids. 'The recommendations were importance for avoiding the RWIs and decrease E. coli contamination.