Access to Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation Facilities: A Case Study of Lagos Mainland Local Government Area, Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Access to safe drinking water will prevent water borne diseases, disability and death. Clean water and sanitation are crucial to healthy living. Access to good drinking water is indicated by safe water sources. Objectives: The study was conducted to determine access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities amongst residents of Lagos Mainland Local Government Area (LGA), Lagos. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out using mainly interviewer administered questionnaire to 381 participants of not less than 18 years which focused on questions on source of drinking water, sanitation facility and incidence of water borne diseases. Results: Response rate was 94.5%. Majority of the respondents (40%) were between 38-47 years old. Half of the respondents relied on sachet water as source of drinking water while 5% from pipe water in the compound. Majority of the respondents’ households (85%) had access to water within a distance of about 100 metres or less and within 15 minutes or less. About 60% of the household had government piped water into their compound. Majority of the households (80%) had flush toilets while 20% had improved pit latrine. Most of the respondents (80%) were aware that disease can be caused by unsafe drinking water. More than half (55.56%) of the households have not treated water related diseases in the last two months. Conclusion: The surveyed households had close access to safe drinking water. Sachet water was the main source of drinking water. The sanitation facilities in the studied area were adequate for healthy living and good quality of life.