Analysis of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in an Urban Community of Koppal, Karnataka, India: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Water, Sanitation and Hygienic (WaSH) practices are the major predictors of morbidity, mortality as well as nutritional status and are highly cost-effective. Their adequate implementation contributes to overall improvement of the population. Many communicable diseases can be effectively managed by improving the sanitation, hygiene and water usage practices. Globally, limited access to water and low level of sanitation and hygiene practices are responsible for 90% of diarrhoea-related mortality. Aim: To estimate the proportion of population having access to safe water, adequate sanitation and practice of hand hygiene among people at Koppal, Karnataka, India and also to determine their association with occurrence of diarrhoeal episodes. Materials and Methods: This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the field practice area of Urban Health Centre (UHC), Koppal, Karnataka, India, from March 2019 to July 2019. Simple random sampling technique was used for sample selection and a total of 410 households were included in the study. Data about source, availability, accessibility, treatment methods of water, availability of toilet, details about domestic hygiene, hand hygiene practices and also history of diarrhoeal episodes among members of the household were collected through interviews using pretested and semi-structured questionnaire. Statistical analysis was done using Epi info software version 3.5.4 {Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America}. WaSH practices were presented as percentages and Chi-square test at 5% level of significance was applied to test the association between the occurrence of diarrhoeal episodes and the various environmental factors. Results: The primary source of drinking water in majority (314, 76.58%) of households was piped corporation water and majority (309, 75.36%) of households had individual toilets. Majority (390, 95.12%) of the respondents practiced to wash hands after using toilet followed by 349 (85.12%) respondents admitted to wash hands before taking meals. Diarrhoeal episodes among household members, were found to be significantly associated with piles of solid waste around their households. Conclusion: The present study finds that three out of four households had access to safe water and one out of three households treated water before drinking. More than nine among ten households had access to either individual or community toilet facilities. Similarly, nine out of ten participants admitted to wash their hands after using toilet and eight washed before taking meals. Solid waste piles around households were identified as risk factors for occurrence of diarrhoea both among adults and children.