COVID-19 pandemic: Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) as a critical control measure remains a major challenge in low-income countries

Donde, Oscar Omondi; Atoni, Evans; Muia, Anastasia Wairimu; Yillia, Paul T.

doi:10.1016/j.watres.2020.116793

Cited by 64 publications

(70 citation statements)

References 65 publications

(55 reference statements)

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“…Overall, these findings suggest that investments in WASH infrastructure, such as a piped water supply, not only ensure individuals have an enabling environment to perform promoted WASH practices but may also play a role in building the resilience of rural communities against future disease outbreaks. The findings also support the recommendations of Donde et al 35 that WASH is central to the COVID-19 response and recovery strategy and deserves sufficient funding to provide and maintain adequate WASH services in low- and middle-income countries.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Practices and Challenges during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study in Rural Odisha, India

Bauza

Sclar

Bisoyi

et al. 2021

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

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Abstract.Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices emerged as a critical component to controlling and preventing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted 131 semistructured phone interviews with households in rural Odisha, India, to understand behavior changes made in WASH practices as a result of the pandemic and challenges that would prevent best practices. Interviews were conducted from May through July 2020 with 73 heads of household, 37 caregivers of children < 5 years old, and 21 members of village water and sanitation committees in villages with community-level piped water and high levels of latrine ownership. The majority of respondents (86%, N = 104) reported a change in their handwashing practice due to COVID-19, typically describing an increase in handwashing frequency, more thorough washing method, and/or use of soap. These improved handwashing practices remained in place a few months after the pandemic began and were often described as a new consistent practice after additional daily actions (such as returning home), suggesting new habit formation. Few participants (13%) reported barriers to handwashing. Some respondents also detailed improvements in other WASH behaviors, including village-level cleaning of water tanks and/or treatment of piped water (48% of villages), household water treatment and storage (17% of respondents), and household cleaning (41% of respondents). However, there was minimal change in latrine use and child feces management practices as a result of the pandemic. We provide detailed thematic summaries of qualitative responses to allow for richer insights into these WASH behavior changes during the pandemic. The results also highlight the importance of ensuring communities have adequate WASH infrastructure to enable the practice of safe behaviors and strengthen resilience during a large-scale health crisis.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Practices and Challenges during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study in Rural Odisha, India

Bauza

Sclar

Bisoyi

et al. 2021

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

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“…Fair allocation of resources in the WASH organizations could include responding to the pandemic COVID-19. 37 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Fair allocation of resources in the WASH organizations could include responding to the pandemic COVID-19. 37 The present pandemic of COVID-19 causes an additional challenge to the quality and safety of laboratory diagnosis testing, 38 and in HCF due to the generation of more waste than usual. 20 In this pandemic time, HCF produces wastes like gloves, masks, and other PPE that could be infected with the virus.…”

Section: Impacts Of Covid-19 On Wash Servicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 Pandemic and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene: Impacts, Challenges, and Mitigation Strategies

Desye

2021

Environ�Health�Insights

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Background: In order to protect public health during the outbreaks of infectious diseases including the pandemic COVID-19, provision of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services is important. The challenges of inaccessible WASH services along with the pandemic COVID-19 in low-income countries can lead to a devastating problem. Method: A systematic search of published articles was identified using PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, on relevant studies of COVID-19 and WASH services. Published articles were identified using abstracts and titles of the articles, followed by assessed for eligibility, and screening of the full text reports of relevant studies. Results: Electronic database search identified 798 articles from which 28 full text articles were included in the systematic review. A lack of access to WASH services in households, schools, health care facilities, and other public spaces were the main identified COVID-19 related public health risks. A lack of adequate data and financial shortages were the challenges for mitigating the problems of COVI-19 and WASH services. Conclusion: This systematical review identified the impacts and challenges of COVID-19 in the provision of WASH services. The results implied that COVID-19 has significant impacts on WASH services that can affect the health of the public. Therefore, strengthening and ensuring access to WASH services are important for preventing COVID-19 and realizing human rights. Community engagement also can be used to support for prevention and control of COVID-19. Countries need to be expand their investment in WASH services as an important mechanism for mitigating COVID-19.

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“…Raupp et al (2020) reported that the gap related to basic sanitation infrastructure between Indigenous and non-Indigenous households increased between 2000 and 2010 [ 39 ]. Access to clean water and sanitation is critical for preventing the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, which remain a major cause of mortality among Indigenous Brazilians [ 40 , 41 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Disparities in Excess Mortality Between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Brazilians in 2020: Measuring the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Soares

Jamieson

Biazevic

et al. 2021

J. Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities

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This study aimed to estimate the number of excess deaths among Indigenous Peoples associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and to assess the disparities in excess mortality between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Brazilians. A time series analysis of weekly mortality data including all deaths from January 2015 to December 2020 was conducted. The number of expected deaths for 2020 was estimated using an over-dispersed Poisson model that accounts for demographic changes, temporal trends, and seasonal effects in mortality. Weekly excess deaths were calculated as the difference between the number of observed deaths and the expected deaths. Regional differences in Indigenous mortality were investigated. A significant increase in Indigenous mortality was observed from April 1 to December 31, 2020. An estimated 1149 (95% CI 1018–1281) excess deaths was found among Indigenous Brazilians in 2020, representing a 34.8% increase from the expected deaths for this population. The overall increase in non-Indigenous mortality was 18.1%. The Indigenous population living in the Brazilian Amazon area was the earliest-affected Indigenous group, with one of the highest proportional increases in mortality. Disparities in excess mortality revealed a disproportionate burden of COVID-19 among Indigenous Brazilians compared to their non-Indigenous counterparts. Findings highlight the importance of implementing an effective emergency plan that addresses the increased vulnerability of Indigenous Peoples to COVID-19. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40615-021-01162-w.

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COVID-19 pandemic: Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) as a critical control measure remains a major challenge in low-income countries

Cited by 64 publications

References 65 publications

Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Practices and Challenges during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study in Rural Odisha, India

Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Practices and Challenges during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study in Rural Odisha, India

COVID-19 Pandemic and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene: Impacts, Challenges, and Mitigation Strategies

Disparities in Excess Mortality Between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Brazilians in 2020: Measuring the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic

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