Towards an Integrated Approach to Improve the Understanding of the Relationships Between Water-Borne Infections and Health Outcomes: Using Malaysia as a Detailed Case Study

As in many low- and middle-income countries around the world, thousands of local communities Southeast Asia rely on river water to sustain their livelihoods. However, poor quality threatens health both humans ecosystems. The aim this review was examine available literature investigate how outcomes Malaysia have been studied reported as directly attributable human infections from water. Computer-aided searches 10 electronic databases were undertaken, with limited English language publication dates since January 2010. search revealed that predominant identified bacterial (coliforms, Salmonella spp., typhoid, leptospirosis, melioidosis), viral (including dengue, hepatitis, enterovirus), parasitic including amoebiasis, giardiasis cryptosporidiosis, helminth infections, Blastocystis sarcocystosis. No studies found attempted evaluate impact related infection longitudinally. Moreover, possibility integrated governance systems could reduce improve quality, particularly for marginalized groups not discussed or studied. Several cross-sectional at a point time, but large longitudinal data sets parameters they influence reported. Using demonstration case study, we suggest number recommendations based using approach tackle challenges involved collection integration, which is central understanding, strategic planning management water-borne infections.