An epidemiological study to assess water supply and sanitation services in slum in Amritsar city

Abstract

Background: One of the foremost elements of primary health care is adequate supply of safe water and basic sanitation in the slums. Intersectoral coordination between health and water supply and sanitation department plays a major role in promoting good health of the slum-dwellers. Aims and Objectives: The aims of this study were to assess the availability of water supply and sanitation services in the slum. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in a randomly selected slum in Amritsar city. Eldest adult member was interviewed and data analyzed. An interview was also held with the functionaries of department of water supply and sanitation to assess the intersectoral coordination. Results: According to Modified Kuppuswamy Scale, 49.3% of the families of the slum belonged to lower middle class. As source of water, 50.6% of the families used municipality tap water, while 63.6% families had personal toilets for defecation. Conclusion: Slums are in poor state of affairs with respect to water supply and sanitation services. Very less intersectoral coordination was seen between health department and water and sanitation department. Hence, programs of the government need to focus more on the urban slums.