Quantifying the Prevalence of Diarrhea in Peri Urban Area of Islamabad

Abstract

Diarrheal diseases are an important public health concern, predominantly in peri-urban areas where access to safe drinking water and passable sanitation is often insufficient. This study aimed to quantify the prevalence of diarrhea in Shahdara, a peri-urban area of Islamabad, through a cross-sectional community household survey. The research involved collecting drinking water samples from households utilizing various water sources, including private water supply, municipal water supply, well water, spring water, and bore water. Fecal samples from people consuming these water sources were also collected to evaluate the microbial presence linked with diarrheal diseases. Microbial analysis of water samples was performed to evaluate bacterial contamination, focusing on the presence of Escherichia coli, Shigella, and Salmonella—pathogens commonly concerned in waterborne diarrhea. Alongside, fecal samples underwent microbial analysis, DNA extraction, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to identify bacterial loads. Advanced metagenomic analysis was employed to provide an inclusive view of the microbial diversity in the fecal samples. The conclusions of this study aim to explicate the relationship between water source contamination and the prevalence of diarrhea in Shahdara. By combining microbial and metagenomic approaches, the research provides valuable insights into the pathogenic profiles in both water and human samples, contributing to evidence-based strategies for refining water quality and reducing diarrheal diseases in peri-urban settings