Availability and factors influencing community level handwashing facility in Ethiopia: Implication for prevention of infectious diseases

Abstract

Background Handwashing is one of the most effective ways to prevent transmission of infectious diseases. A substantial body of research has examined the status and determinants of handwashing facilities in healthcare settings and schools. However, its status at home in the community, especially in developing countries, remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the availability and factors influencing basic handwashing facilities at households in Ethiopia. Method We analysed the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) data. EDHS employed a two-stage stratified cluster sampling technique. Data were collected from the lowest administrative unit (kebele). A multivariable logistic regression model that allowed cluster-level random effects was employed to examine factors that affect the availability of basic handwashing facilities (water plus soap) at households. Estimates from the regression model are reported as odds ratios (ORs) with standard errors clustered at the DHS cluster level to account for a sampling methodology. Results In our sample, only 1292 (8% [95% CI, 7.6%–8.4%]) of the households had basic handwashing facilities. Compared with head of household who had no formal education, the odds of having basic handwashing facilities was higher among head of household who completed secondary level of education (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.83; 95% CI: 1.35–2.49) and higher level of education (AOR = 2.35; 95% CI: 1.63–3.39). Odds of having basic handwashing facilities was increased with having radio (AOR = 1.32; 95% CI: 1.10–1.63) and television (AOR = 1.49; 95% CI: 1.10–2.02) at home. Households that had improved latrine were two times more likely to have basic handwashing facilities (AOR = 2.09; 95% CI: 1.56–2.80). Being at higher household wealth quintiles was associated with increased odds of having basic handwashing facilities. Conclusion Very low basic handwashing facilities was demonstrated by this study, whereas, awareness and socio-economic related factors were identified as a determinants for its availability in the household. Greater efforts are needed to increase the coverage of community-level handwashing facilities.

Handwashing Practice and Its Predictors Among Mothers of Children Aged 0 to 23 Months in South Ethiopia: Community Based Cross-Sectional Study

“… 11 , 29 It was also only 8% households had handwashing facilities in Ethiopia which was very low. 10 On the other hand, multiple studies have shown that washing hands with soap or ash can reduce the risk of diarrheal diseases by 42% to 47% and this might save a million lives every year. Washing hands with soap and water also helps in the reduction of respiratory tract infections, and stunting among children.…”

“…Different studies in Ethiopia suggested that forgetting and a lack of any handwashing infrastructure hindered regular handwashing practice. 4 , 5 , 10 …”

“…29 Different studies in Ethiopia suggested that forgetting and a lack of any handwashing infrastructure hindered regular handwashing practice. 4,5,10 Handwashing practice is one of the most cost-effective investments in public health and the economic benefits to the prevention of diarrhea, pneumonia, and community healthassociated infections, which are extremely costly to individuals, healthcare systems, and countries. [11][12][13] Mothers are the immediate and reliable caregivers of children in many countries, and they play a central role in children's health.…”

Contextual and psychological factors influencing open defecation free status: an exploratory qualitative study in rural South Western Uganda

“…Odo and Mekonnen [ 18 ] established some of the factors that are associated with households that have handwashing facilities. These include; a better household wealth status, education status of the household head, having a radio and an improved latrine facility.…”

Water and Handwashing in a Drought-Prone Region of Southern Niger: How Environment, Household Infrastructure, and Exposure to Social and Behavior Change Messages Interact

“…Consistent with previous studies, household infrastructure and wealth measured through a wealth index was an important factor in having water and soap at the handwashing station. 26,27 Taken together, our findings suggest that household infrastructure and water access challenges in this drought-prone setting should be considered when addressing hygienerelated behavior. 28 In particular, there should be an increased emphasis on addressing the needs of economically vulnerable groups through the development of, for example, pro-poor sanitation business models.…”