A community based cross sectional study to assess the drinking water handling and management practices, sanitary practices at the household level in Sullia taluk, Karnataka

Abstract

Background: The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) - 7 aimed to reduce by half the proportion of population without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation by 2015. Without access to clean water and basic toilets, and without good hygiene practices, a child’s survival, growth and development are at risk. This study was conducted to assess the drinking water management and handling practices at household level of Sullia Taluk of Karnataka which would give an insight into drinking water management and handling practices in this area. Also the present study is planned to determine the sanitary practices in the households of Sullia Taluk. Methods: 260 houses were sampled using a probability proportionate to sampling size . A cross sectional study was done using a semistructured questionnaire to assess water handling, water management and sanitary practices. Free chlorine in the water was assessed by O- Toluidine. Results: Main source of drinking water was protected dug well in 31.5% and 75.3% did not have any alternate source of drinking water. 92% of those who stored water in overhead tanks and sumps did not clean them within seven days. 14% of the households did not use any of the water treatment methods before drinking. There was no free chlorine in the water of any of the households . 4% did not wash their hands with soap post-defecation. 28% of the households threw their waste indiscriminately around their house. 92% had cattle in close proximity to their house. None of the households practiced open field defecation. Conclusions: Health education is very important to prevent the incidences of water and sanitation related diseases. Emphasis needs to be given to behavioural change communication to create awareness among the households regarding the importance of water and sanitation practices.

Assessment of wash practices among women in urban slums of Berhampur, Odisha: a cross sectional study

“…Similar results were seen in a study by Sharanya Kaniambady et al 5 Most of females were homemakers mostly engaged in household activity. The literacy status of women of majority of households was matriculation and above while 13.8% of them were illiterate.…”

“…Most of the respondents did not practice any water treatment method (68. 5%).Similar findings were also reported in a study by Venkatashiva et al done in households of Sugali Tribe of Chittoor District, and Sharanya Kaniambady et al 5,16 Only 16.5% of households used ladle to take out drinking water from vessel. Most of the respondents interviewed used water by directly drinking water collected in bottles.…”

“…At the all-India level, 27% of all slums had no garbage disposal arrangement -the figures being about 38% for non-notified slums and about 11% for notified slums.study by Sharanya Kaniambady et al showed (35.38%) disposed solid waste into a pit, but our study revealed 68.3% respondents disposed liquid waste haphazardly while 59.8% disposed solid waste haphazardly. 5 Best method of liquid waste disposal is use in kitchen garden while for solid waste it is composting and disposing in municipal bins. Respondents with higher education status practiced best method of waste disposal evident by statistical significant association between education status and liquid waste disposal and with solid waste disposal.…”

Assessment of sanitation and drinking water facilities among slum households in Bhubaneswar, Odisha – A cross-sectional study

“…Another study by Kaniambady et al . [ 22 ] observed that 27% of slums all over India had no garbage disposal facility and revealed that majority of the slum population disposed their liquid wastes (68.3%) and solid waste (59.8%) haphazardly. [ 22 , 23 ] Similar results have been found in this study which revealed distorted ways of waste disposal among slum households.…”

“…[ 22 ] observed that 27% of slums all over India had no garbage disposal facility and revealed that majority of the slum population disposed their liquid wastes (68.3%) and solid waste (59.8%) haphazardly. [ 22 , 23 ] Similar results have been found in this study which revealed distorted ways of waste disposal among slum households. About 69.8% reported that they disposed the solid wastes at the community dumping spot set by the BMC, while 83% reportedly disposed liquid wastes in the open drainage system of kutcha origin.…”