CONSUMPTION OF SACHET WATER BY STUDENTS IN THE CITY OF AKANDA (GABON)

The sachet water consumption has substantially increased among the population. The present work is based on a sample of students from a four secondary schools in the commune of Akanda. This survey was carried out in order to determine the students criteria for choosing sachet water, their perception of taste and the quality of water. It resulted that students mainly drink sachet water after school: 52.70 % of the students surveyed drink about one to two sachets per day. However, a majority of students (56.57 %) complain about the taste of sachet water, often considered unpleasant, or associated with a taste of soil or bleach. They think that the bad taste of sachet water is related to the poor manufacturing and production conditions. Furthermore, 45 % of students surveyed deplore the unsanitary conditions in which sachet water are sold. In addition, a lack of hygiene has been observed among students. Indeed, 88.5 % of them admit to not washing their hands before consumption and 44.88 % also admit to throwing the sachet on the ground after drinking. Finally, the students surveyed bemoan the absence or insufficiency of health checks in the sachet water production units and the lack of information on the numerous brands found in stores. Thus, sachet water is considered to be the cause of many diseases.