Abstract
Background:Access to improved drinking water, sanitation and hygiene is one of the prime concerns around the globe. This study aimed at assessing water and sanitation hygiene-related attitude and practices, and quality of water in urban slums of south Delhi, India.Methodology:This pilot cross sectional study was performed during July 2013 across four urban slums of South Delhi. A convenient sample of 40 participants was enrolled. A modified version of previously validated questionnaire was used to gather information on socio-demographics, existing water and sanitation facilities and water treatment practices. Water quality testing was additionally performed using hydrogen sulphide (H2S) vials.Results:Average age of participants was 36 years (SD=10). 83% of the participants perceived gastrointestinal tract infection as the most important health problem. 75% of the participants did not use any method for drinking water treatment. 45% of the participants consumed water from privately-owned tube well/bore well. Water shortage lasted two days or more (50%) at a stretch with severe scarcity occurring twice a year (40%). Females aged 15 years and above were largely responsible (93%) for fetching water from water source. 45% of the participants had toilets within their households. 53% of drinking water samples collected from storage containers showed positive bacteriological contamination.Discussion:There is an urgent need to develop family centered educational programs that would enhance awareness about water treatment methods that are cost effective and easily accessible.
Highlights
Access to improved drinking water, sanitation and hygiene is one of the prime concerns around the globe
Average age of participants was 36 years (SD=10). 83% of the participants perceived gastrointestinal tract infection as the most important health problem. 75% of the participants did not use any method for drinking water treatment. 45% of the participants consumed water from privately-owned tube well/ bore well
Females aged 15 years and above were largely responsible (93%) for fetching water from water source. 45% of the participants had toilets within their households. 53% of drinking water samples collected from storage containers showed positive bacteriological contamination
Summary
Access to improved drinking water, sanitation and hygiene is one of the prime concerns around the globe. 8% of Indian population is still devoid of clean water, and only 25% of population have access to piped water in premises (WHO/ UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme [JMP], 2013). This current growth rate is not enough to achieve sanitation target (Target 7.C: Halve, by 2015, the proportion of the population without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation) of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Burden of diseases on world could be decreased by 10% through prevention by improvement in the quality of drinking water and water resource management simultaneously with sanitation and hygiene (WHO/UNICEF JMP, 2013). A study by the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that to meet Target 7C of the MDGs, an investment of US$11.3 billion per year can give a payback of US$84 billion (Pruss-Ustun et al, 2008; Hutton & Haller, 2004)
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