Abstract
Water and sanitation services are fundamental in preventing the spread of waterborne and hygiene-related diseases. However, in developing countries, such as Haiti, access to clean water continues to pose major challenges despite efforts to improve quality and reduce distance. With Léogâne being the epicenter of the earthquake in Haiti in 2010, there were dozens of interventions aimed to improve access to clean water, specifically well construction and use of water treatment strategies. Using the socioecological framework, this study collected qualitative data to supplement a household water insecurity experiences (HWISE) survey in order to fully understand the narratives around water in Léogâne (urban) and its neighboring commune Gressier (peri-urban). The inclusion criteria for this study was that the participant must be a resident of either site, at least 18 years or older, and a female. Only females were included in this study so that researchers could better understand how perceived water insecurity impacts reproductive health, specifically gynecological infections. This cross-sectional study yielded 61 total in-depth interviews using a semi-structured open ended questionnaire to allow participants the ability to elaborate. Results suggest that there are common misconceptions about water and reproductive health specifically that engaging in sexual intercourse in saltwater will not result in pregnancy. Relevant narratives among the two communes included water acquisition, use of water, and bathing practices, among several others. Through understanding the local Haitian perspective and practices that surround water insecurity, we can better tailor public health interventions to improve access to water, female hygiene practices, and ultimately lower and prevent disease transmission.
Highlights
Water insecurity has largely been conceptualized as a result of insufficient “access to and/or supply of” water for daily living [1,2,3]
In Leogane, themes around water access were primarily related to a shortage of clean, safe water in the area
There are many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and international organizations in Leogane that may contribute to why so many participants shared that they treat the water with aquatabs, tablets for disinfection of drinking water for human consumption
Summary
Water insecurity has largely been conceptualized as a result of insufficient “access to and/or supply of” water for daily living [1,2,3]. The lack of access and/or availability of water is a burgeoning global health issue that. Perceived water insecurity among adults from urban and peri-urban Haiti can have serious health concerns. Through poor sanitation and hygiene (intensified by lack of safe water) there is an increased risk of spreading pathogenic microbes that increase morbidity and mortality [5]. There are several studies that have already established that water insecurity, as it relates to access, safety, and financial barriers, is disproportionally found among poor, vulnerable populations [1, 6,7,8]
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