WATER STORAGE PRACTICES AND THE ASSOCIATED HEALTH RISKS IN SELECTED COMMUNITIES WITHIN MORO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KWARA STATE, NIGERIA.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Unsafe water storage is a persistent public health challenge, especially in rural Nigerian communities where clean water access is limited. Improper handling and storage contribute significantly to the spread of waterborne diseases. This study assessed water storage practices, knowledge levels, associated health risks, and proposed interventions in selected communities of Moro Local Government Area, Kwara State, Nigeria. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 350 household respondents, selected using multistage sampling. Data were collected through a structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 26. Descriptive statistics summarized frequencies and percentages, while chi-square tests determined associations between variables, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: A majority of respondents (62.9%) had good water storage practices, while 37.1% exhibited poor practices. Most households stored water indoors (72.6%), and 73.7% used covered containers. Only 47.1% regularly washed their storage containers before use. Furthermore, 82.0% had good knowledge of safe water storage and handling, while 18.0% had poor knowledge. Regarding health outcomes, 61.2% of respondents had experienced waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, typhoid, and skin infections within the past six months. Sources of water varied, with 60.0% depending on wells and 27.1% on boreholes. Information on water safety was mainly obtained from community health workers (37.1%), radio (20.9%), and community meetings (16.9%). Although females were the primary water handlers (86.9%), no statistically significant associations were found between socio-demographic variables (such as age, education, income, occupation) and water storage practices (p > 0.05). Conclusion: While knowledge and awareness of safe water storage were generally high, gaps remain in actual hygiene practices and container management. The persistence of waterborne illnesses highlights the need for practical interventions. These should include provision of clean storage facilities, continuous health education, and stronger community engagement to bridge the gap between knowledge and practice. Keywords: Water storage practices, Safe water handling, Waterborne diseases, Household hygiene, Moro LGA, Community health, Public health education.