Study to assess knowledge, perception and practices regarding Swachh Bharat Abhiyan among rural people of Nalgonda district in Telangana state

Abstract

Background: Swachh Bharat Mission was launched by our Hon. Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi on October 2, 2014 with Mahatma Gandhi as the inspiration, to create a clean India of his dream by 2019, on his 150th birth anniversary. The basic objective is to create sanitation facilities for all and eliminate completely the unhealthy practice of open defecation. This study is conducted to assess knowledge, perception and practices regarding Swachh Bharat Abhiyan among rural people.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 328 subjects of rural area with a pre-tested, semi structured questionnaire in order to assess their knowledge, perception and practices regarding Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. Data collected was analysed using SPSS software.Results: In our study, it was found that 62.2% have heard about SBA and 82.84% of them have identified both the objectives of SBA. 81.8% of the literates felt that people must actively participate in SBA and this was statistically significant. 26.52% were defecating in the open field, 69.81% were using soap and water for hand washing after defecation and 34.75% of the subjects were disposing solid waste in community bins.Conclusions: Though most of the people were having positive perception only 25.98% have participated in SBA activities and main source of information was found to be television and newspaper. The proportion of people disposing solid waste in community bins and using soap and water for hand washing was significantly higher among people who were aware about SBA.