Journals Information
Universal Journal of Public Health Vol. 13(4), pp. 981 - 989
DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2025.130420
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Risk Factors in Water Quality Associated with Skin Disorders: A Study in Daren Village, Jepara District
Muhammad Auliya Rahman , Mursid Raharjo *, Nurjazuli Nurjazuli , Sulistiyani Sulistiyani
Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Diponegoro, Indonesia
ABSTRACT
Water quality is a critical determinant of dermatological health; however, its direct association with specific physicochemical and microbiological water parameters remains underexplored in rural settings. This study aimed to elucidate the effects of dissolved oxygen (DO), water hardness, and total coliform contamination on the prevalence of self-reported skin disorders in Daren Village, Jepara District, Indonesia. Using a cross-sectional design, data were collected from 64 randomly selected respondents through structured interviews and dermatological assessments. The interviews included questions regarding water source usage and skin symptoms experienced during the past month. Dermatological complaints were classified using a checklist based on visible symptoms and verified through brief observations by trained health workers at a local community health centre. In-situ water quality testing was conducted on the household water sources used daily by the respondents. The results indicated that 39.1% of the participants reported skin complaints, most commonly dermatitis and eczema. Statistically significant associations were observed between skin disorders and low DO levels (mean 3.6 mg/L; p = 0.0001; PR = 5.64) and elevated water hardness (mean 626 mg/L; p = 0.005; PR = 2.38). Additionally, the presence of total coliforms co-occurred with deteriorating DO and hardness levels, suggesting synergistic contamination pathways. Field evidence indicated potential pollution from nearby tofu factory effluents that lack wastewater treatment facilities, contributing to the microbial and chemical degradation of groundwater. These findings, which expand beyond traditional microbiological concerns by highlighting physicochemical contributions, underscore the urgent need for integrated water safety interventions, such as improved industrial waste management, household water treatment technologies, and community-level education to reduce skin-related public health risks in rural areas.
KEYWORDS
Water Quality, Skin Disorders, Risk Factors, Jepara District
Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Muhammad Auliya Rahman , Mursid Raharjo , Nurjazuli Nurjazuli , Sulistiyani Sulistiyani , "Risk Factors in Water Quality Associated with Skin Disorders: A Study in Daren Village, Jepara District," Universal Journal of Public Health, Vol. 13, No. 4, pp. 981 - 989, 2025. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2025.130420.
(b). APA Format:
Muhammad Auliya Rahman , Mursid Raharjo , Nurjazuli Nurjazuli , Sulistiyani Sulistiyani (2025). Risk Factors in Water Quality Associated with Skin Disorders: A Study in Daren Village, Jepara District. Universal Journal of Public Health, 13(4), 981 - 989. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2025.130420.