scholarly journals Assessment of water, sanitation and hygiene service availability in healthcare facilities in the greater Kampala metropolitan area, Uganda

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Denis Kayiwa ◽  
Richard K. Mugambe ◽  
Jane Sembuche Mselle ◽  
John Bosco Isunju ◽  
John C. Ssempebwa ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Improved Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Healthcare facilities (HCFs) is of significant public health importance. It is associated with a reduction in the transmission of healthcare acquired infections (HAIs), increased trust and uptake of healthcare services, cost saving from infections averted, increased efficiency and improved staff morale. Despite these benefits, there is limited evidence on availability of WASH services in HCFs in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA). This study assessed the availability and status of WASH services within HCFs in the GKMA in order to inform policy and WASH programming. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in 60 HCFs. Availability of WASH services in the study HCFs was assessed using a validated WASH Conditions (WASHCon) tool comprising of structured interviews, HCF observations and microbial water quality analysis. Data were analysed using Stata 14 software and R software. Results Overall, 84.5% (49/58) and 12.1% (7/58) of HCFs had limited and basic WASH service respectively. About 48.3% (28/58) had limited water service, 84.5% (49/58) had limited sanitation service, 50.0% (29/58) had limited environmental cleanliness service, 56.9% (33/58) had limited hand hygiene service, and 51.7% (30/58) had limited waste management service. About 94.4% of public HCFs had limited WASH service compared to only 68.2% of private not for profit facilities. More health centre IIIs, 92.5% and health centre IVs (85.7%) had limited WASH service compared to hospitals (54.5%). Conclusions Our findings indicate that provision of water, sanitation, hand hygiene, environmental cleanliness, and health care waste management services within HCFs is largely hindered by structural and performance limitations. In spite of these limitations, it is evident that environmental cleanliness and treatment of infectious waste can be attained with better oversight and dedicated personnel. Attaining universal WASH coverage in HCFs will require deliberate and strategic investments across the different domains.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denis Kayiwa ◽  
Richard K. Mugambe ◽  
Jane Sembuche Mselle ◽  
John Bosco Isunju ◽  
John C. Ssempebwa ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Improved Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Healthcare facilities (HCFs) is of significant public health importance. It is associated with a reduction in the transmission of healthcare acquired infections (HAIs), increased trust and uptake of healthcare services, cost saving from infections averted, increased efficiency and improved staff morale. Despite these benefits, there is limited evidence on availability of WASH services in HCFs in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA). This study assessed the availability of WASH services within HCFs in the GKMA in order to inform policy and WASH programming.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 60 HCFs. Availability of WASH services in the study HCFs was assessed using a validated WASH Conditions (WASHCon) tool comprising of structured interviews, HCF observations and microbial water quality analysis. Data were analysed using Stata 14 software and R software. Results: Overall, 84.5% (49/58) and 12.1% (7/58) of HCFs had limited and basic WASH service respectively. About 48.3% (28/58) had limited water service, 84.5% (49/58) had limited sanitation service, 50.0% (29/58) had limited environmental cleanliness service, 56.9% (33/58) had limited hand hygiene service, and 51.7% (30/58) had limited waste management service. About 94.4% of public HCFs had limited WASH service compared to only 68.2% of private not for profit facilities. More health centre IIIs, 92.5% and health centre IVs (85.7%) had limited WASH service compared to hospitals (54.5%).Conclusions: Our findings indicate that provision of water, sanitation, hand hygiene, environmental cleanliness, and health care waste management services within HCFs are largely hindered by structural and performance limitations. In spite of these limitations, it is evident that environmental cleanliness and treatment of infectious waste can be attained with better oversight and dedicated personnel. Attaining universal WASH coverage in HCFs will require deliberate and strategic investments across the different domains.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denis Kayiwa ◽  
Richard K. Mugambe ◽  
Jane Sembuche Mselle ◽  
John Bosco Isunju ◽  
John C. Ssempebwa ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Improved Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Healthcare facilities (HCFs) is of significant public health importance. It is associated with a reduction in the transmission of healthcare acquired infections (HAIs), increased trust and uptake of healthcare services, cost saving from infections averted, increased efficiency and improved staff morale. Despite these benefits, there is limited evidence on availability of WASH services in HCFs in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA). This study assessed the availability of WASH services within HCFs in the GKMA in order to inform policy and WASH programming.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 60 HCFs. Availability of WASH services in the study HCFs was assessed using a validated WASH Conditions (WASHCon) tool comprising of structured interviews, HCF observations and microbial water quality analysis. Data were analysed using Stata 14 software and R software. Results: Overall, 84.5% (49/58) and 12.1% (7/58) of HCFs had limited and basic WASH service respectively. About 48.3% (28/58) had limited water service, 84.5% (49/58) had limited sanitation service, 50.0% (29/58) had limited environmental cleanliness service, 56.9% (33/58) had limited hand hygiene service, and 51.7% (30/58) had limited waste management service. About 94.4% of public HCFs had limited WASH service compared to only 68.2% of private not for profit facilities. More health centre IIIs, 92.5% and health centre IVs (85.7%) had limited WASH service compared to hospitals (54.5%).Conclusions: Our findings indicate that provision of water, sanitation, hand hygiene, environmental cleanliness, and health care waste management services within HCFs are largely hindered by structural and performance limitations. In spite of these limitations, it is evident that environmental cleanliness and treatment of infectious waste can be attained with better oversight and dedicated personnel. Attaining universal WASH coverage in HCFs will require deliberate and strategic investments across the different domains.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denis Kayiwa ◽  
Richard K. Mugambe ◽  
Jane Sembuche Mselle ◽  
John Bosco Isunju ◽  
John C. Ssempebwa ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Improved Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Healthcare facilities (HCFs) is of significant public health importance. It is associated with a reduction in the transmission of healthcare acquired infections (HAIs), increased trust and uptake of healthcare services, cost saving from infections averted, increased efficiency and improved staff morale. Despite these benefits, there is limited evidence on availability of WASH services in HCFs in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA). This study assessed the availability of WASH services within HCFs in the GKMA in order to inform policy and WASH programming.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 60 HCFs. Availability of WASH services in the study HCFs was assessed using a validated WASH Conditions (WASHCon) tool comprising of structured interviews, HCF observations and microbial water quality analysis. Data were analysed using Stata 14 software and R software.Results: Overall, 84.5% (49/58) and 12.1% (7/58) of HCFs had limited and basic WASH service respectively. About 48.3% (28/58) had limited water service, 84.5% (49/58) had limited sanitation service, 50.0% (29/58) had limited environmental cleanliness service, 56.9% (33/58) had limited hand hygiene service, and 51.7% (30/58) had limited waste management service. About 94.4% of public HCFs had limited WASH service compared to only 68.2% of private not for profit facilities. More health centre IIIs, 92.5% and health centre IVs (85.7%) had limited WASH service compared to hospitals (54.5%).Conclusions: Our findings indicate that provision of water, sanitation, hand hygiene, environmental cleanliness, and health care waste management services within HCFs is largely hindered by structural and performance limitations. In spite of these limitations, it is evident that environmental cleanliness and treatment of infectious waste can be attained with better oversight and dedicated personnel. Attaining universal WASH coverage in HCFs will require deliberate and strategic investments across the different domains.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denis Kayiwa ◽  
Richard K. Mugambe ◽  
Jane Sembuche Mselle ◽  
John Bosco Isunju ◽  
John C. Ssempebwa ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Improved Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services in Health Care Facilities (HCFs) is of significant public health importance. It is associated with a reduction in the transmission of hospital acquired infections (HAIs), increased trust and uptake of healthcare services, cost saving from infections averted, increased efficiency and improved staff morale. Despite these benefits, there is limited evidence on the status of WASH in HCFs in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA). This study assessed the status of WASH within HCFs in the GKMA in order to inform policy and WASH programming.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 60 HCFs. The status of WASH in the study facilities was assessed using a validated WASH Conditions (WASHCon) tool comprising of structured interviews, HCF observations and microbial water quality analysis. Data were analysed using Stata 14 software and R software. The relationships between WASH status and HCF characteristics were assessed using Fishers’ exact tests.Results: Overall, 84.5% (49/58) and 12.1% (7/58) of HCFs had limited and basic WASH status respectively. About 48.3% (28/58) had a limited water supply status, 84.5% (49/58) had limited sanitation status, 50.0% (29/58) had limited environmental cleanliness status, 56.9% (33/58) had limited hand hygiene status and 51.7% (30/58) had limited waste management status. Overall, there were significant differences in water supply status by ownership of the HCF and level of HCF. There was a significant statistical difference in WASH status between public and private not for profit facilities (p = 0.021). A significant difference was also observed in WASH status between hospitals and lower levels HCFs (p = 0.004). Conclusion: Majority of the HCFs in the GKMA had limited access to all WASH service domains i.e. water supply, sanitation, hand hygiene, environmental cleanliness and healthcare waste management. We recommend deliberate increased investments in WASH for healthcare services, especially for sanitation and hand hygiene provisions which were in the poorest state. Improvements in WASH conditions will not only minimize the risk of transmission of HAIs but also associated costs.


Author(s):  
Reuben Kebati ◽  
Ramadhan L. Mawenzi ◽  
Osero Justus

Background: Health care waste (HCW) is unwanted materials produced from hospitals, laboratories and research centres. HCW is of public health importance because hazardous HCW carries significant health risks. If poorly handled, it can lead to significant public health crises. Consequently, guidelines for proper management of HCW have been legislated. Unfortunately, not all healthcare facilities adhere to the guidelines. Diseases spread by inadequately disposed HCW are becoming increasingly prevalent especially in developing nations. This study was therefore conducted to establish the status of HCW management in six purposefully selected healthcare facilities in Nakuru East Sub-County (NESC), Kenya.Methods: A cross sectional study design was used to conduct this study. Six healthcare facilities (HCFs) in NESC, Kenya were purposefully selected. The HCFs were selected based on level and patient volumes and categorised as small or medium sized. HCW from each of the HCFs was weighed and categorised. Observation checklists and interviews were used to determine techniques used in HCW management.Results: The total weekly weight of HCW was 187.65 kg (mean 31.3 kg). Small sized HCF produced 49.55 kg/week while medium sized HCFs produced 138.1 kg/week. Total weekly weight of general HCW was 143.7 kg (76.5%); 33.8 kg (18%) was infectious while 10.2 kg (5.4%) was sharps.Conclusions: Healthcare facilities in NESC produce significant quantities of HCW. General HCW was predominant, followed by infectious waste and sharps. A considerable proportion of the HCFs did not comply with the stipulated guidelines for safe management of HCW. Concerned authorities in all HCFs should be alert and proactive regarding proper management of HCW.


2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (7) ◽  
pp. 645-655 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yousef Saleh Khader

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to determine water availability, sanitation and hygiene (WSH) services, and healthcare waste management in Jordan healthcare facilities. Design/methodology/approach In total, 19 hospitals (15 public and four private) were selected. The WSH services were assessed in hospitals using the WSH in health facilities assessment tool developed for this purpose. Findings All hospitals (100 percent) had a safe water source and most (84.2 percent) had functional water sources to provide enough water for users’ needs. All hospitals had appropriate and sufficient gender separated toilets in the wards and 84.2 percent had the same in outpatient settings. Overall, 84.2 percent had sufficient and functioning handwashing basins with soap and water, and 79.0 percent had sufficient showers. Healthcare waste management was appropriately practiced in all hospitals. Practical implications Jordan hospital managers achieved major achievements providing access to drinking water and improved sanitation. However, there are still areas that need improvements, such as providing toilets for patients with special needs, establishing handwashing basins with water and soap near toilets, toilet maintenance and providing sufficient trolleys for collecting hazardous waste. Efforts are needed to integrate WSH service policies with existing national policies on environmental health in health facilities, establish national standards and targets for the various healthcare facilities to increase access and improve services. Originality/value There are limited WSH data on healthcare facilities and targets for basic coverage in healthcare facilities are also lacking. A new assessment tool was developed to generate core WSH indicators and to assess WSH services in Jordan’s healthcare facilities. This tool can be used by a non-WSH specialist to quickly assess healthcare facility-related WSH services and sanitary hazards in other countries. This tool identified some areas that need improvements.


Author(s):  
Udhayashankar Kanagasabai ◽  
Kayla Enriquez ◽  
Richard Gelting ◽  
Paul Malpiedi ◽  
Celina Zayzay ◽  
...  

Fourteen years of civil war left Liberia with crumbling infrastructure and one of the weakest health systems in the world. The 2014–2015 Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak exposed the vulnerabilities of the Liberian health system. Findings from the EVD outbreak highlighted the lack of infection prevention and control (IPC) practices, exacerbated by a lack of essential services such as water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in healthcare facilities. The objective of this intervention was to improve IPC practice through comprehensive WASH renovations conducted at two hospitals in Liberia, prioritized by the Ministry of Health (MOH). The completion of renovations was tracked along with the impact of improvements on hand hygiene (HH) practice audits of healthcare workers pre- and post-intervention. An occurrence of overall HH practice was defined as the healthcare worker practicing compliant HH before and after the care for a single patient encounter. Liberia Government Hospital Bomi (LGH Bomi) and St. Timothy Government Hospital (St. Timothy) achieved World Health Organization (WHO) minimum global standards for environmental health in healthcare facilities as well as Liberian national standards. Healthcare worker (HCW) overall hand hygiene compliance improved from 36% (2016) to 89% (2018) at LGH Bomi hospital and from 86% (2016) to 88% (2018) at St. Timothy hospital. Improved WASH services and IPC practices in resource-limited healthcare settings are possible if significant holistic WASH infrastructure investments are made in these settings.


Author(s):  
Emilda Emilda

The limitations of waste management in the Cipayung Landfill (TPA) causing a buildup of garbage up to more than 30 meters. This condition has a health impact on people in Cipayung Village. This study aims to analyze the impact of waste management at Cipayung Landfill on public health in Cipayung Village, Depok City. The research is descriptive qualitative. Data obtained by purposive sampling. Data was collected by interviews, observation and documentation. Based on interviews with 30 respondents, it was found that the most common diseases were diarrhea, then other types of stomach ailments, subsequent itching on the skin and coughing. This is presumably because the environmental conditions in the form of unhealthy air and water and clean and healthy living behaviors (PHBS) have not become the habit of the people. The results indicated that there were no respondents who had implemented all of these criteria. In general respondents have implemented  3 criteria, namely maintaining hair hygiene, maintaining skin cleanliness, and maintaining hand hygiene. While maintaining clean water storage is the most often overlooked behavior. To minimize this health impact, improvements in waste management in Cipayung landfill are needed along with continuous socialization and education to develop PHBS habits and the importance of maintaining a clean environment.


2012 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 359-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ioan Ianos ◽  
Daniela Zamfir ◽  
Valentina Stoica ◽  
Loreta Cercleux ◽  
Andrei Schvab ◽  
...  

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