Water Quality as a Priority Area of Community Needs Assessment: Community Extension Service with the Indigenous Tribe of Hanunuo Mangyan in the Philippines

Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and diarrhoea are markers of intake of contaminated food and water. The present study aimed to establish water quality as a priority area in community needs assessment at the onset of Community Extension Service for indigenous communities. Dry and wet season water samples from six sampling sites were subjected to physico-chemical and microbiological analysis along with a one-year population survey (n=546) on GI symptoms and diarrhoea cases. All water sample results were non-potable based on national standards which collates with the high frequency of GI symptoms and diarrhoea in the indigenous community. Diarrhoea cases decreased after implementing a community raising-awareness program on Water Quality and Safety. The results of the present study demonstrated that water quality is a priority area in the community needs assessment of an indigenous community. Community awarenessraising programs proved effective in mitigating GI symptoms and diarrhoea through the boiling of water before consumption.