Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Challenges Faced in India in COVID-19 Prevention: A literature Review

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory infection. This is caused by severe acute respiratorysyndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 was first found in Wuhan, China on December 2019.1On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic.2Currently,India ranks second in COVID-19 cases. There is no proven specific treatment for the infection.3 InfectionPrevention and Control (IPC) through Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and frequent Hand Washingwith Soap (HWWS) is the key in stopping the spread of COVID-19.4 This paper, using secondary datasources discusses on challenges faced in the country in adopting WASH practises to prevent COVID-19.Besides social distancing and other hygiene protocols, HWWS is a simple and primary preventive measureto combat COVID-19 but face challenges due to water unavailability or low access to water. Poor sanitationand hygiene plays a role due to lack of water and awareness. Ensuring clean access to water, good sanitationand improved hygiene practices in the communities and health care facilities will prevent COVID-19transmission. Policies on water management, water conservation will address the issue of water challenge,which not only will help in addressing COVID-19 transmission but in the days to come. An intensivesocial behavioural change programme to be conducted at various levels to eradicate myths associated withCOVID-19.