| The availability of safe drinking water remains at the forefront of public health concerns on a global level. In Cameroon, water is often unsafe for consumption and contributes to a host of health disparities and deaths from preventable disease. This study was developed in response to the Engineers Without Borders - University of Alaska Anchorage (EWB-UAA) Chapter's request for health assessment tools and baseline data for the communities of the Rhema Grace Orphanage and Ombe village in the southwest region of Cameroon.;Developed tools included a questionnaire, interview guides, and an observational checklist and notes for use in a subsequent longitudinal study. Data collection and analysis identified community needs, beliefs, and practices, with a focus on water utilization and hygiene practices. Knowledge gained in this study will serve as a benchmark to evaluate EWB-UAA projects in the assessed communities, and identify opportunities for disease prevention and health promotion. |
