Steven A. Esrey|Jean Pierre Habicht|Michael C. Latham|D G Sisler|George Casella
Drinking water source, diarrheal morbidity, and child growth in villages with both traditional and improved water supplies in rural Lesotho, southern Africa.
Johns Hopkins University
study examined growth morbidity rates young children relation exclusive nonexclusive use improved water supplies rural lesotho southern africa data collected 247 children 60 months age july 1984 february 1985 10 villages improved water supply least one year prior investigation children whose families relied exclusively new water supply drinking cooking needs grew 0438 cm 235 g six months children whose families supplemented new water supply use contaminated traditional water drinking cooking difference growth greater among children 12 months age start evaluation among infants may explained partly lower rates giardia lamblia commonly identified pathogen stools older children among infants similar rates campylobacter commonly isolated pathogen among infants may prevented larger differences results suggest improved drinking water supplies benefit preschool childrens health infancy functioning utilized exclusively drinking cooking purposes