scholarly journals Water Quality, Sanitation, and Hygiene Conditions in Schools and Households in Dolakha and Ramechhap Districts, Nepal: Results from A Cross-Sectional Survey

Author(s):  
Akina Shrestha ◽  
Subodh Sharma ◽  
Jana Gerold ◽  
Séverine Erismann ◽  
Sanjay Sagar ◽  
...  
2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 6197-6217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tania Jordanova ◽  
Ryan Cronk ◽  
Wanda Obando ◽  
Octavio Medina ◽  
Rinko Kinoshita ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Mustaf A. Isack ◽  
Juma J. Nyamai ◽  
Atei Kerochi

Background: The study analysed risk factors associated with diarrhea prevalence among underfive children in Galkayo District Puntland State, Somalia.Methods: The study used analytical cross-sectional survey conducted in Galkayo, from February to March 2020. The inclusion criteria were caregivers with underfive children, and exclusion criteria were children over five years, caregivers who have no underfive children and children with chronic diarrhea. Sample of 385 was calculated using Yamane formula. Caregivers were randomly selected using simple random sampling after cluster sampling. The researcher administered structured questionnaires, collected data from eligible caregivers using interview guide and elicited on diarrhea perceptions. Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS, qualitative data was identified common and sub-themes.Results: The study found diarrhea was affecting 30% of underfive children. The presence of two under-fives in the household was associated with high diarrhea prevalence [OR=1.93, 95% CI= (1.21, 3.08)]. Low educational level of underfive caregivers were associated with high diarrhea occurrence [OR=1.36, 95% CI= (0.68, 2.66)]. Households headed by non-biological mothers, diarrhea prevalence was high [OR=0.06, 95% CI= (0.00, 0.50) and OR=0.17, 95% CI= (0.03, 0.79)] respectively. Those children under the care of employed caregivers, diarrhea occurrence was high [OR=2.41 (0.99, 5.80)]. Poor personal hygiene (32%), sanitation (28%), and water quality (28%) were attributed to the cause of diarrhea among children.Conclusions: The study recommends, practice of child spacing, improve caregivers’ basic education to better understand risk factors and seek treatment, establish routine water quality surveillance at source and at household level, conduct awareness behaviour change by promotion of handwashing.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akina Shrestha ◽  
Jeanne Six ◽  
Dikshya Dahal ◽  
Rubika Shrestha ◽  
Madan Bhatta ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Providing universal access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in remote Nepal remains challenging. Efforts to improve WASH access in these areas are impeded by a dearth of information on the status of WASH conditions and its association with health and nutritional status of children in Nepal. Methods: We investigated nutritional status, WASH practices, and their association with intestinal parasitic infections, diarrhoea, undernutrition and clinical signs of nutritional deficiencies (hereafter health outcomes) during March to May 2018. Data was collected through a cross-sectional survey of 1427 households, including questionnaires, observations, stool analysis, anthropometry, water quality measurements and assessment of clinical signs of nutritional deficiencies. Results: We found that 55.5% had undernutrition, 63.9% had clinical signs of nutritional deficiencies, 51.1% of children were suffering from intestinal parasitic infections, and 52.2% had waterborne illnesses. Multivariate mixed logistic regression analysis revealed statistically significant associations (p<0.05) between aforementioned health outcomes and a better socioeconomic status (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=0.43, 95% confidence intervals (CI)=0.25-0.75), caregivers who can read (AOR=4.07, 95% CI=1.00-16.5), own food production of food (AOR=0.67, 95% CI=0.46-0.97), providing food supplements to the children (AOR=0.57, 95% CI=0.38-0.84), intermittent water supply (AOR=2.72, 95% CI=1.18-6.31), source water quality (AOR=10.44, 95% CI=1.61-67.4), washing hands when they look dirty (AOR=0.47, 95% CI=0.32-0.71), no toilet at home (AOR=6.12, 95% CI=1.08-14.25), cleanliness of the available toilet (AOR=0.68, 95% CI=0.47-0.98), handwashing after going to toilet (AOR=0.37, 95% CI=0.13-1.02), cleanliness of caregivers hand (AOR=0.61, 95% CI=0.41-0.89), presence of earthen floor (AOR=2.29, 95% CI=1.20-4.37), animals inside the house overnight (AOR=1.71, 95% CI=1.17-2.51) and regular deworming of the children (AOR=0.44, 95% CI=0.20-0.94). Conclusions: Findings suggest improvements in WASH services, along with household hygiene and nutritional interventions, may together reduce child morbidity and mortality in Nepal. Keywords: Drinking Water Quality, Sanitation and Hygiene, Child Health, Diarrhoea, Undernutrition, Intestinal Parasitic Infections, Nepal.


2020 ◽  
pp. 136749352091602
Author(s):  
Angeline Jeyakumar ◽  
Swapnil Rajendra Godbharle ◽  
Bibek Raj Giri

Providing safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) in geographically isolated settings is a global public health priority. Prevalence of WaSH practices among mothers and diarrhoea among their children (birth to 59 months) was studied in nine randomly selected tribal villages of Mokhada in Palghar, Maharashtra, India. A community-based cross-sectional survey among 577 mother–child pairs was performed. Participants were recruited from the anganwadi list of enrolled children through household visits. WaSH index was used for assessing WaSH practices. Well was the major (47%) drinking water source. Almost 70% treated and covered the stored drinking water. Nearly 75% of the mothers used soap for washing hands before food and 35% after defecation. Open drains and open defecation were observed in 99% and 50% of households, respectively. The median score for drinking water index was 3 (interquartile range (IQR) = 2), personal hygiene index (PHI) was 2 (IQR = 2), household hygiene index (HHI) was 2 (IQR = 1) and composite index (CI) was 6 (IQR = 2). Prevalence of diarrhoea among children was found to be 33.4% and was significantly associated with poor HHI ( p = .007), PHI ( p < .001) and CI ( p < .001). Measures to provide basic WaSH resources combined with efforts to create awareness would ensure improved WaSH practices and prevent diarrhoea.


Author(s):  
Paola A. Torres-Slimming ◽  
Carlee Wright ◽  
Cesar P. Carcamo ◽  
Patricia J. Garcia ◽  
IHACC Research Team ◽  
...  

Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG-6) addresses poor water quality, inadequate sanitation, and improper hygiene, all of which negatively impact health and disproportionately impact Indigenous Peoples’ health. Understanding and responding to local contexts is critical to effectively improve water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH); however, in-depth understanding of local knowledge, practices, and perceptions are often overlooked. As such, this study described the knowledge, practices, and perceptions of WASH held by residents of two Indigenous Shawi communities in the Peruvian Amazon. Quantitative data were collected via a cross-sectional survey and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Qualitative data were collected via interviews, PhotoVoice, focus group discussions, and participatory transect walks, and analyzed using a constant comparative approach to thematic analysis. Emergent themes included characterizing water sources, collection methods, and consumption patterns; knowledge, perceptions, and practices related to WASH; and knowledge and perceptions of health issues related to WASH. This study provides insight into the ongoing challenges related to WASH in Indigenous communities in the Peruvian Amazon and highlights the need to prioritize interventions that will advance WASH-related SDGs.


2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 491-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ernest Mensah Abraham ◽  
Adrienne Martin ◽  
Olufunke Cofie ◽  
Liqa Raschid-Sally

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore people’s perceptions, stated attitudes, and observed and reported behaviour to water and other environmental quality. Design/methodology/approach – The study adopted a mixed method approach. It employed a cross-sectional survey design. Ten communities were selected in Accra and its surrounding communities to indicate various levels of infrastructure provision and environmental quality. Four separate focus group discussions (FGDs) were carried out in each community, with a mixed group of older and young adult men and women, a group of men only, a group of women only, and a group of young adults only. Following the FGDs, further information was obtained through structured household questionnaire survey involving 443 respondents. Findings – Different ideas were employed to explain people’s perceptions of water quality. There were common ideas such as on health, history of water use, perceptions which affect water use, and management of community activities which affect water sources. These ideas which emerged from the focus groups helped participants to assign meaning to their environment. Reported behaviour was influenced by the ability to pay for services, their availability and the influence of shared community norms. Although citizen participation in water and environmental management decision making was very limited, community collective action can be harnessed to enhance water and other environmental management. Originality/value – Adopted an interdisciplinary approach that enabled explanations to phenomenon to emerge from the perspectives of the society rather than views being suggested to them. Thus, resulting in evidence-based issues for intervention.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akina Shrestha ◽  
Jeanne Six ◽  
Dikshya Dahal ◽  
Rubika Shrestha ◽  
Madan Bhatta ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Providing universal access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in remote Nepal remains challenging. Efforts to improve WASH access in these areas are impeded by a dearth of information on the status of WASH conditions and its association with health and nutritional status of children in Nepal. Methods: We investigated WASH practices, nutritional status, and their association with intestinal parasitic infections, diarrhoea, undernutrition and clinical signs of nutritional deficiencies (hereafter health outcomes) during March to May 2018. Data was collected through cross-sectional survey of 1427 households, including questionnaires, observations, stool analysis, anthropometry, water quality measurements and assessment of clinical signs of nutritional deficiencies. Results: We found that 51.1% of children were suffering from intestinal parasitic infections and 55.5% had undernutrition; 52.2% had waterborne illnesses; and 63.9% had clinical signs of nutritional deficiencies. Multivariate mixed logistic regression analysis revealed significant associations between health outcomes and intermittent water supply (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=2.72, 95% confidence intervals (CI)=1.18-6.31, P =0.02), washing hands when they look dirty (AOR=0.47, 95% CI=0.32-0.71, P =0.01), handwashing after going to toilet (AOR=0.37, 95% CI=0.13-1.02, P =0.06), cleanliness of the toilet (AOR=0.68, 95% CI=0.47-0.98, P =0.04), presence of earthen floor (AOR=2.29, 95% CI=1.20-4.37, P =0.01), caregivers who can read (AOR=4.07, 95% CI=1.00-16.55, P =0.05), no toilet (AOR=6.12, 95% CI=1.08-14.25, P =0.04), cleanliness of caregivers hand (AOR=0.61, 95% CI=0.41-0.89, P =0.01), regular deworming (AOR=0.44, 95% CI=0.20-0.94, P =0.03), own food production (AOR=0.67, 95% CI=0.46-0.97, P =0.03), animals inside the house overnight (AOR=1.71, 95% CI=1.17-2.51, P =0.01), source water quality (AOR=10.44, 95% CI=1.61-67.4, P =0.01), better socioeconomic status (AOR=0.43, 95% CI=0.25-0.75, P =0.01), and food supplements (AOR=0.57, 95% CI=0.38-0.84, P =0.01). Conclusions: Findings suggest improvements in WASH services, along with household hygiene and nutritional interventions, may together reduce child morbidity and mortality in Nepal.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 055-065
Author(s):  
Mela Danjin ◽  
Henry O. Sawyerr ◽  
Solomon O. Adewoye

The state of the environment in which we live and certain hygienic practices we indulge in has been known to affect our nutritional status. This study was aimed at examining the association between malnutrition and some selected water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) practices among school children in Gombe State Nigeria. A cross sectional survey was conducted between March and June, 2019. A total of 745 pupils were selected from 12 public and 6 private schools across 6 LGAs in Gombe state, using multi-stage sampling technique. Anthropometric measurements of heights and weights of the study participants were done using standard instruments and procedures. Other relevant data (age, sex, some environmental variables etc) were collected using a structured template. Data analysis was done using IBM SPSS version 21 and key variables were presented using descriptive statistics, while associations were tested using Chi square. Odd ratio (OR) was used to estimate risks of malnutrition among the subjects and p-value was set at 0.05. The pupils had a mean age of 9.96±2.26 years, 50.9% of whom were males the rest being females. Though 84.6% of them had toilets in their residences not all of them (98.6%) put them to use. A good proportion (79.1%) dispose their refuse by dumping and slightly more than half of them (51.7%) have access to pipe borne water. And though only two (method of refuse disposal and source of drinking water) out of the eight WASH variables studied were found to be associated with underweight (Composite indicator of malnutrition), all the eight variables were found to be associated with stunting (chronic malnutrition). Overall, 20.8% and 22.4% of the subjects were underweight and stunted, respectively. The foregoing raises a germane concern about the role of WASH in malnutrition among school children and the need for a comprehensive and sustainable school feeding programme in the state and country at large. There should also be an integration of a WASH component in all nutrition intervention programmes.


2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 530-540 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Psutka ◽  
Patricia Priest ◽  
Tieren Davies ◽  
Teretia Rakunuea ◽  
Steven Iddings ◽  
...  

Aim: To measure diarrhoea burden, environmental hygiene and water quality in Kiribati, in order to assess whether a domestic water filter would be likely to improve child and community health. Methods: Cross-sectional survey of randomly selected households using a questionnaire and analysis of drinking and source water samples. Results: Female heads of 97 randomly selected households answered the questionnaire. One in four children younger than five years had experienced diarrhoea in the past month and 7% in the past week. Thirty-four percent of respondents and 57% of their children practised open defecation. Handwashing at important times was uncommon, as was safe water storage. Almost all households usually boil water. Overall, drinking water was less contaminated than source water (p = 0.05). Where paired samples of source and drinking water were available, drinking water that had been boiled was significantly less contaminated than source water (1 tailed t-test; p = 0.014). Conclusion: Both ‘waterwashed’ and waterborne transmission are likely responsible for diarrhoea. In this setting where nearly all households boil water, in the absence of hygiene and storage improvements, the substitution of a filter is unlikely to improve water quality.


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