Water, sanitation and hygiene (wash) practices in urban slums

Author: 
Undavalli VK, Ponnaganti SC and Savithri B

Background: Adequate supply of safe water and basic sanitation are essential components of "primary health care". In India, according to the census 2011, population that lacked “improved” drinking water source and sanitation facilities were 14.5% and 58% respectively.

Objectives: To know
1. The proportion of the households having access to ‘improved’ drinking water source and ‘improved’ sanitation facility.

2. The proportion of caretakers safely disposing the recently passed stools of their children (<3yr).

Methods and Material: A cross sectional study was carried out in the field practice area of a private medical college, during January to March, 2014. A total of 200 households constituted the sample. Study was conducted using WHO/UNICEF-Joint Monitoring Programme survey questionnaire. Results were analyzed using Microsoft excel.

Results: There is 100% access to improved drinking water source but improved sanitation facilities were observed among 58% only. About 33% of the mothers in the urban area practicing safe disposal of childrens (<3yr) faeces.

Conclusions: Health education programs and public awareness campaigns to adopt healthy hygienic practices to be conducted actively in the urban slums to improve quality of life.

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DOI: 
http://dx.doi.org/10.24327/ijcar.2018.9976.1668
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