Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Practices in Urban Slums of Eastern India

Abstract

Background The Sustainable Development Goals identified universal access to water and sanitation facilities as key components for improving health. We assessed water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices and associated determinants among residents of urban slums in Kolkata, India. Methods Information on WASH practices was collected in 2 surveys (2018 and 2019) from participants of a prospective enteric fever surveillance conducted in 2 municipal wards of Kolkata. A composite WASH practice score was computed and a hierarchical stepwise multiple linear regression model constructed to identify key determinants of improved WASH score. Results Over 90% of households had access to piped water; 6% reported access to continuous supply. Adult women (61% in 2018; 45% in 2019) spent 20 minutes daily to fetch water. Access to improved latrines was almost universal, although 80% used shared facilities. Unhealthy disposal of children’s stools was reported in both rounds. Food hygiene practices were high, with most (>90%) washing uncooked items before eating; frequent consumption of street food items was reported. Conclusions The study area reported high WASH coverage. Unhygienic behavioral patterns predisposing to food- or water-borne diseases were also noted. Awareness building and sustainable community mobilization for food hygiene needs to be emphasized to ensure community well-being.

Household Water, Sanitation, Hygiene Facilities and Practices in Selected Villages of Taraganj Upazilla, Rangpur

“…9 In the study area households' level of water treatment practices was negligeable as only 4.7% households safely treated water for drinking particularly using efficient methods like boiling, water filter or add bleach or chlorine. This was similar to the findings of studies done by Sridhar et al, 1 Kanungo et al 6 and Bitew et al, 10 but lower in comparison to 2018 national hygiene survey of Bangladesh 8 . The study population lacks knowledge of quality drinking water as many responded thoughts that quality water means visually clear water.…”

“…World Health Organization (WHO) data indicate that globally an estimated 8.29 lacs deaths and 49.8 million disability-adjusted life years (DALY) could be attributed to unsafe WASH practices. 6 Bangladesh is also vulnerable in this regard. Recently World Bank research also shows that coverage of improved water and sanitation infrastructure is increasing in our country.…”

“…Now, WHO works toward this goal by ensuring WASH facilities and practices in almost all countries. 6,7 And also UNICEF works in this background worldwide under WASH programs campaigning a motive, "safe water, toilets and good hygiene keep children alive and healthy". 3 For this reason, this survey was conducted in selected villages of Taragonj Upazilla in the Rangpur district which has a high population density.…”

The Use of Sanitary Latrines and the Practice of Open-Air Defecation in a Rural Setup in Perambalur District: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…In the urban slums of eastern India, access to better sanitary facilities was practically universal, or 100%, according to research done in Kolkata by Kanungo et al [ 15 ]. This disparity between urban slums and rural areas in the prevalence of sanitary toilet use suggests that the health education strategy and content should be adjusted to the needs of the local community.…”

Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Practices Among Households in Perambalur District: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Good sanitation has a positive impact on all aspects of life, including health, nutrition, development, economy, dignity, and empowerment [2]. Infections such as cholera, typhoid, hepatitis A, and many other water-related diseases are more likely to spread when there are limited access to clean water, poor sanitation, and poor hygiene habits [3,4].…”