Factors Contributing to the Resurgence of Waterborne Diseases in Bongondjo District, Mbandaka, Democratic Republic of the Congo: A Cross-Sectional Study (2020–2021)
Abstract
Introduction
Waterborne diseases remain a major public health challenge in developing countries, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation facilities is limited. Bongondjo District, a peri-urban area of Mbandaka, experienced a notable increase in waterborne disease cases between 2020 and 2021. This study aimed to identify the factors contributing to the resurgence of waterborne diseases in Bongondjo District.
Methods
A community-based cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study was conducted from January 2020 to December 2021 in Bongondjo District, Wangata Commune, Mbandaka, DRC. A total of 100 households were selected using simple random sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, direct observation, and interviews. Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) were computed. Chi-square tests were used to examine associations between environmental factors and disease occurrence.
Results
The sample was predominantly female (58%) and aged 28–37 years (38%). The main water sources were unprotected wells (40%) and rivers (15%); 68% of households did not treat water before consumption. Water storage in open containers was practiced by 45% of households. Sanitation was inadequate: 30% lacked latrines, 50% used open dumps for waste disposal, and 55% had wells located within 15 meters of latrines. Stagnant water was present in 65% of households, and 60% had never received hygiene education. The most frequent waterborne diseases were diarrhea (45%), typhoid fever (30%), parasitic infections (15%), and cholera (10%). Significant associations were found between water treatment and disease occurrence (p < 0.05), latrine availability and disease occurrence (p < 0.01), and distance between wells and latrines (p < 0.001).
Conclusion
The resurgence of waterborne diseases in Bongondjo District is multifactorial, driven by consumption of unsafe water, inadequate sanitation, poor hygiene practices, lack of community awareness, and poverty. Multisectoral interventions—improving water supply, promoting household water treatment, constructing sanitation infrastructure, and conducting sustained hygiene education—are urgently needed.
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How to cite
Nkombe Mea, L. (2026). Factors Contributing to the Resurgence of Waterborne Diseases in Bongondjo District, Mbandaka, Democratic Republic of the Congo: A Cross-Sectional Study (2020–2021). SDF Journal of Public Health. https://sfoundation.one/articles/sdf-2026-0030-factors-contributing-to-the-resurgence-of-waterborne-diseases-in-bongo