WATER PREPARATION PRACTICES IN SOUTH KALIMANTAN, INDONESIA

This study investigated water preparation practices, water sources, an d sanitation measures in 400 households in four villages in Banjar dis trict of South Kalimantan, Indonesia. A survey of randomly selected ho useholds in each of the four villages was undertaken during the season of low prevalence of diarrhoeal disease (February-March 1989). A foll ow-up survey of the same households was conducted 6 months later to me asure prevalance during the peak season. Twenty-three in-depth intervi ews were carried out with key persons in local villages. Observations on behaviour in the local food stalls were recorded. The results of th e study indicate that 97% of the households report that they regularly boil their drinking water. However, 37% of the households regularly o r occasionally mix boiled with unboiled water for drinking, or use unb oiled water alone. The mixing of boiled with unboiled water is particu larly frequent in the preparation of 'cold tea', a popular drink in ho useholds and food stalls. The occasional or regular use of unboiled wa ter varies by ethnicity, education and literacy, and economic status. The use of unboiled water is associated with higher rates of childhood diarrhoeas in the households studied.