Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs) for Study Session 13

Now that you have completed this study session, you can assess how well you have achieved its Learning Outcomes by answering these questions. Write your answers in your Study Diary and discuss them with your Tutor at the next Study Support Meeting. You can check your answers with the Notes on the Self-Assessment Questions at the end of this Module.

SAQ 13.1 (tests Learning Outcome 13.1)

Match the the definitions with the words below.

Using the following two lists, match each numbered item with the correct letter.

  1. The source of water is near to one’s house

  2. Water free from disease-causing organisms or contaminants

  3. Provision of water without payment or at a low price

  4. A minimum of 20 litres per person per day

  • a.Affordable

  • b.Safe

  • c.Accessible

  • d.Adequate

The correct answers are:
  • 1 = c
  • 2 = b
  • 3 = a
  • 4 = d

SAQ 13.2 (tests Learning Outcome 13.2)

Which of the following statements is false? In each case, explain why it is incorrect.

A  Water-washed diseases are caused by drinking water that has been contaminated with pathogens.

B  Diarrhoea and typhoid fever are diseases that occur when water is scarce.

C  Children may become infected with bilharzia if they swim and play in lakes where there are many snails.

D  Malaria is an example of a waterborne disease.

Answer

A is false. Water-washed diseases are caused by poor hygiene when there is insufficient water for thorough washing, and not by drinking contaminated water.

B is false. Diarrhoea and typhoid fever are examples of waterborne disease and are caused by consumption of water or food contaminated with pathogens.

C is true. Bilharzia is transmitted via water snails.

D is false. Malaria is an example of a water-related disease.

SAQ 13.3 (tests Learning Outcomes 13.1 and 13.3)

Rewrite the paragraph below using terms from the list provided to fill the gaps.

The terms to use are: atmosphere; evaporation; hydrological cycle; ocean; precipitation; surface runoff; transpiration.

Water on the Earth’s surface moves in an unceasing cycle through rivers, oceans, clouds and rain called the ______________. The heat from the Sun causes _____________ of water, principally from the ___________ and also from lakes and wetlands on land. Plants also lose water through their leaves by the process of ____________. Water vapour in the ____________ forms into clouds which are moved around by wind. Rain and snow, collectively known as __________, fall from the clouds. Some water that falls on land soaks into the ground and some collects into streams and rivers which form ______________ that flows back to the ocean to complete the cycle.

Answer

Water on the Earth’s surface moves in an unceasing cycle through rivers, oceans, clouds and rain called the hydrological cycle. The heat from the Sun causes evaporation of water, principally from the ocean and also from lakes and wetlands on land. Plants also lose water through their leaves by the process of transpiration. Water vapour in the atmosphere forms into clouds which are moved around by wind. Rain and snow, collectively known as precipitation, fall from the clouds. Some water that falls on land soaks into the ground and some collects into streams and rivers which form surface runoff that flows back to the ocean to complete the cycle.

SAQ 13.4 (tests Learning Outcome13.4)

Suppose you are working in a village and you want to assess whether the village has satisfactory access to water. Name three things you would need to find out about.

Answer

Satisfactory water supply is water that is safe, adequate and accessible.

Your answer could include any three of the following:

  • You need to know where the source of the water for the village is.
  • You need to know if the source of the water is protected.
  • You need to estimate the average distance the residents travel to fetch water or estimate the time taken for a round trip for fetching water.
  • You need to know the amount of water collected per person per day.
  • Finally you can assess whether the status of village is classed as no access, basic access, intermediate access or optimal access.

SAQ 13.5 (tests Learning Outcome 13.5)

Suppose you are working in a village where sources of water are inaccessible and people walk a long distance to fetch water. This means that clean water is in short supply in the village. As a Health Extension Practitioner you need to identify the most vulnerable individuals in order to ensure they have sufficient clean water. Which members of the community would you include in your list?

Answer

Vulnerable groups include children and infants, the elderly, and people who are ill or debilitated.

SAQ 13.6 (tests Learning Outcome 13.6)

Which of the following statements is false? In each case, explain why it is incorrect.

A  Community empowerment has no input in provision of safe water.

B  New technologies can help to overcome the barriers to the provision of safe water.

C  Local government should not be involved in finding sustainable solutions for provision of safe water.

D  Provision of safe water improves the lives of infants and children.

Answer

A is false. Local communities’ empowerment will increase the provision of safe water.

B is true. New technologies can help with the provision of safe water.

C is false. Local government involvement is important for the success of safe water provision projects.

D is true. Safe water improves the lives of infants and children.

Summary of Study Session 13