Access to sanitation and water supply is a fundamental
need and a human right, vital to the life,
health, and dignity of human beings. According
to the World Health Organization, improved
water supply and adequate sanitation would
result in a 25 % to 33 % reduction in diarrheal
diseases in the developing world, which now
accounts for 4 billion cases each year;
decreased incidence of intestinal worm infestations
that lead to malnutrition, anemia, and
retarded growth; and control of blindness due to
trachoma and schistosomiasis, which are also
water related. In Nigeria, less than 50 % of the
population have access to improved water
supply and sanitation. The percentage varies
from urban to rural communities and from cities
to villages. Ikare-Akoko is one of the towns that
suffers from deficient water supply and sanitation.
This study was carried out to establish the
implications of unsafe water-supply sources and
poor sanitation on Muslims in Ikare-Akoko
Township, Nigeria. The study revealed that the
main sources of water for domestic use by the
Muslims were unprotected wells and ponds;
about 68 % and 20 % of Muslims still depend on
open-air defecation and latrines, respectively,
and only 2 % have a flush toilet system. Within
the previous year, about 63.2 % and 37.5 % of
Muslims experienced malaria and diarrhea
respectively. The study reveals that unavailability
of safe water and a poor sanitary environment
are serious problems among Muslims in
Ikare-Akoko, and this may have serious consequences
for public health.