| Gaia: | This study explores the status of arsenic test of
tubewell and exposures to arsenic-contaminated tubewell
water in the arsenic prone southern Bangladesh. Through a
survey of 6,593 households, a total of 3,812 tubewells were
sampled at baseline (2006/07) and 3,591 at midline (2009).
Households were selected through multi-stage sampling
procedure where each sub-district was considered as a
cluster. Findings reveal that proportion of unmarked (to
identify presence of arsenic) tubewells increased from 80% at
baseline to 90% at midline (p<O.OOI). Proportion of tested
tubewells was significantly decreased from 75% at baseline
to 69% at midline (p<O.OOI). Of the tested tubewells, 60%
was reported to be free from arsenic contamination. Around
44% of the household members usually drink water from
arsenic contaminated tubewells. This study underlines that
information, education and communication campaigns
should be strengthened to raise awareness regarding negative
effect of arsenic on health.
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