Volume 13, Issue 3 (12-2025)
J Environ Health Eng 2025, 13(3): 309-321 |
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Moradalizadeh S, Lalehzari A, Rahimi F, Haji-Maghsoudi S, Hashemi M. Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Rural Water Supply Providers in Kerman Province Regarding Drinking Water Chlorination. J Environ Health Eng 2025; 13 (3) :309-321
URL: http://jehe.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-1125-en.html
URL: http://jehe.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-1125-en.html
Saeideh Moradalizadeh1 
, Asra Lalehzari2 , Fatemeh Rahimi2 , Saiedeh Haji-Maghsoudi3 , Majid Hashemi *4
, Asra Lalehzari2 , Fatemeh Rahimi2 , Saiedeh Haji-Maghsoudi3 , Majid Hashemi *4
1- Student Research Committee, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran & Environmental Science and Technology Research Center, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
2- Student Research Committee, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran & Environmental Health Engineering Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
3- Research Center for Modeling in Health, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
4- Environmental Health Engineering Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran ,mhashemi120@gmail.com
2- Student Research Committee, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran & Environmental Health Engineering Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
3- Research Center for Modeling in Health, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
4- Environmental Health Engineering Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran ,
Abstract: (37 Views)
Background: Today, water sources are contaminated by various factors, leading to different diseases, including gastrointestinal illnesses. In the process of providing drinking water, disinfection is a crucial step, especially in vulnerable small and rural communities. Therefore, special attention must be paid to raising the awareness of villagers and ensuring necessary coordination between experts and local staff in these areas. Since no study has been conducted to date in Iran on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of rural water supply providers regarding water disinfection, and thus no general conclusion can be drawn, investigating this topic seems essential.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in selected villages of Kerman province. A total of 42 water supply providers (Water supply personnel) from 42 villages were randomly selected to participate. The data collection tool was a questionnaire with three distinct sections designed to measure participants' knowledge, attitudes, and practices. For statistical analysis, SPSS version 27 was used, and the normality of the distribution of quantitative variables was assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test. The relationship between the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the providers regarding chlorination was analyzed using the Spearman correlation coefficient.
Results: The research showed that education level is a significant factor influencing a person's knowledge. Furthermore, an increase in knowledge can positively impact an individual's practices and attitudes. It was found that the water supply providers in the target population had poor knowledge and attitudes regarding drinking water chlorination (3.40±1.50, 25.80±4.40, respectively). However, the majority had good practices concerning water chlorination (10.40±1.50).
Conclusion: The results of the study indicated that the participants' knowledge and attitude scores were weak (3.40±1.50, 25.80±4.40), with the majority not achieving an acceptable score. Given the importance of providing safe drinking water, holding training courses for rural water supply providers is crucial to enhance their knowledge and attitudes regarding water disinfection. Additionally, due to the limitations of this study and the small size of the target population, it seems necessary to conduct a more extensive study in rural communities across the country to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of water supply providers.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in selected villages of Kerman province. A total of 42 water supply providers (Water supply personnel) from 42 villages were randomly selected to participate. The data collection tool was a questionnaire with three distinct sections designed to measure participants' knowledge, attitudes, and practices. For statistical analysis, SPSS version 27 was used, and the normality of the distribution of quantitative variables was assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test. The relationship between the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the providers regarding chlorination was analyzed using the Spearman correlation coefficient.
Results: The research showed that education level is a significant factor influencing a person's knowledge. Furthermore, an increase in knowledge can positively impact an individual's practices and attitudes. It was found that the water supply providers in the target population had poor knowledge and attitudes regarding drinking water chlorination (3.40±1.50, 25.80±4.40, respectively). However, the majority had good practices concerning water chlorination (10.40±1.50).
Conclusion: The results of the study indicated that the participants' knowledge and attitude scores were weak (3.40±1.50, 25.80±4.40), with the majority not achieving an acceptable score. Given the importance of providing safe drinking water, holding training courses for rural water supply providers is crucial to enhance their knowledge and attitudes regarding water disinfection. Additionally, due to the limitations of this study and the small size of the target population, it seems necessary to conduct a more extensive study in rural communities across the country to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of water supply providers.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2025/07/21 | Accepted: 2025/09/21 | Published: 2025/12/13
Received: 2025/07/21 | Accepted: 2025/09/21 | Published: 2025/12/13
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