FACTORS OF WATERBORNE TRANSMISSION OF DISEASES UNDER CONDITIONS OF DEMOGRAPHIC EXPLOSION IN AFRICAN COUNTRIES

Abstract

The influence of various factors, including anthropogenic ones, on hydrosphere pollution with pathogenic microflora in African countries is evaluated. The importance of this problem is determined by rapid population growth and urbanization in Africa resulting from demographic explosion. The most prevalent diseases associated with water or its deficit are cholera, typhoid fever, hepatitis A, amebic and bacillary dysentery, trachoma, ascariasis, trichuriasis, ancylostomiasis and schistosomiasis. Unfavorable sanitary and epidemical conditions are caused by a combination of the lack of access to clean water and modern sanitary facilities for a significant proportion of population with a medium or high population density and humid or, less likely, semi-humid climate. The group of African countries that are the most problematic in this regard is distinguished. When lavatories are primitive or absent altogether, pathogens are “washed out” with rainwater, get into the hydrosphere, and pollute water bodies and other water sources, which are often utilized by population without preliminary water purification. This causes human infection as well as eruptions of epidemics. Public health being a priority, supplying population with safe water is a key mission for countries in African. This requires modern technical solutions accounting for local specifics and for resistance of a group of pathogens to chemical disinfectants. Under these conditions, it is possible to develop cooperation between the Russian Federation and African countries in ensuring better sanitary conditions based on advances achieved by Russian scientists.