Water sanitation and hygiene practices of the indigenous Tharu community in Chitwan, Nepal

Abstract

Nepal is a multi-ethnic country with cultural diversity according to ethnicity. Culturally rich, the Tharu ethnicity is the fourth largest ethnic group. Sanitation and hygiene are integral parts of their culture. Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) are fundamental for everyone. This study aims to identify the WASH practices and situation of diarrhoeal diseases among the Tharu ethnic group in the Chitwan district of Nepal. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was used for the study. The study area and ethnic group were selected randomly. Primary data were collected using an interview schedule and observation checklist. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS version 24. The findings confirmed that all households clean their yards, and about 9 in 10 (87.5%) respondents have dustbins in their households. Almost all (98.8%) clean their kitchen utensils twice daily, and 96.8 percent use ash or soap as a cleaning agent. Nearly all (99.7%) households have a toilet (92.8% water seal), whereas 75.3 percent use water, brush, and cleaning agents, and 96.8 percent use separate slippers in the toilet. All the respondents wash their hands with soap before eating food and after defecation. Almost all (95.7%) wash their hands with soap after cleaning yards, 92.5 percent after cleaning the child’s bottom, 91.5 percent after touching cow dung, 89.9 percent after agricultural work, 73.1 percent after feeding the child, and 90.7 percent after cleaning the toilet. The study shows that 46.3 percent of women and girls use commercial sanitary pads during menstruation, and 43.7 percent use pieces of cloth as pads. About half (49.6%) clean their genitals four or more times daily, whereas nine in ten (92.6%) respondents take a bath four or more times during the menstrual period, and 76.8 percent use soap as a cleaning agent. In the previous year, only 26.1 percent of respondents’ families suffered from diarrhea; however, nobody was infected by cholera. The study suggests that socioeconomic status and contextual factors must be improved to strengthen and sustain WASH practices. Including good WASH practices of indigenous Tharu people in the local curriculum could motivate them to empower and develop further good practices, which is possible through the school curriculum, which the local and federal governments mandate.