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

Abstract

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.

Household Air Pollution and Respiratory Symptoms a Month Before and During the Stringent COVID-19 Lockdown Levels 5 and 4 in South Africa

“…In terms of household behaviours, we saw majority of households reported cooking more, cleaning more and spending more time indoors during Lockdown Levels 5 and 4 compared to the month before. A study in rural Odisha, India, reported 41% of respondents having changed their household cleaning practices as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak or Lockdown [ 23 ]. Of these, 34% of respondents reported cleaning their house more frequently, and made mention of using water with phenyl, detergent, shampoo, or bleaching powder when washing floors.…”

“…Of these, 34% of respondents reported cleaning their house more frequently, and made mention of using water with phenyl, detergent, shampoo, or bleaching powder when washing floors. Similarly, 13% of respondents either started using or make use of more disinfectant or detergent when cleaning their house [ 23 ]. These findings are in keeping with the “at home lockdown vicious cycle” proposed by Domínguez-Amarillo et al [ 9 ].…”

COVID 19 pandemic and behavioural change toward water hygiene and sanitation (WASH): A study in rural Odisha, India

“…The particular emphasis on avoiding large crowds and social distancing from others, wearing a face mask around others, frequent hand washing with soap, and avoiding touching one's face (WHO, 2020). 3,4 Additionally, the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been detected in feces of infected individuals, leading to the possibility that fecal-oral transmission could also play a role in virus transmission, particularly in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) with high rates of open defecation, ineffective fecal sludge management, and poor access to safe drinking water (Pandey, et al, 2021& Bauza et al, 2021). 5,6 In addition (Huraimel et al, 2020 & Aboubakr et al, 2021) 7,8 stated that diarrheal symptoms have been found in some individuals infected with COVID-19.…”

“…3,4 Additionally, the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been detected in feces of infected individuals, leading to the possibility that fecal-oral transmission could also play a role in virus transmission, particularly in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) with high rates of open defecation, ineffective fecal sludge management, and poor access to safe drinking water (Pandey, et al, 2021& Bauza et al, 2021). 5,6 In addition (Huraimel et al, 2020 & Aboubakr et al, 2021) 7,8 stated that diarrheal symptoms have been found in some individuals infected with COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 may have higher stability and longer survival times in diarrheal stools, which could increase the risk of environmental transmission along potential fecal-oral routes.…”

“…On this WHO highlighted the importance of safe management of human feces and treatment of drinking water as precautions against COVID-19 in their interim guidance related to WASH and COVID-19 (WHO, 2020 & Bauza et al, 2021). 3,5 The main objective of the research was to identify the changes among people's perspectives about the WASH behaviours after one year of the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country. The research was done in the rural parts of Odisha.…”