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ASSESSMENT OF WATER SANITATION AND HYGIENE PRACTICES IN PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN OWERRI MUNICIPAL AREA COUNCIL IMO STATE, NIGERIA *Ejimogu C. R., Okereke C. C., Amadi C.O.A., and Amadi A.N. School of Health Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. *Corresponding Author’s: E-mail Addresses ✉: rosequeenchigozie@gmail.com; Accepted November 23, 2019 Infectious diseases remain an issue of concern in the public primary schools due to inadequate environmental health practices. In this work, assessment of water, sanitation and hygiene practices among public primary schools in Owerri Municipal Area Council of Imo state is being done. A descriptive study was conducted with the use of a structured questionnaire administered on sample size of 374 respondents. The sample size was determined using Nwana method. Data were collected, presented and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The source of water varied with 236 (63.10%) of water tanker, followed by water hawker 124 (33.16%), rain water 104 (27.81%) and borehole/mono pump 77 (20.69%). The ventilated improved pit dominated with 316 (84.49%), water closets 37 (9.89%) and least was ordinary pit latrine 21 (5.62%). Hand-washing points were found to be 136 (36.36%) with less hand towels 111 (29.68%) and improper hand-washing upon blowing of nose 38 (10.16%). Hand-washing with only water dominated by 187 (50.00%) and less use of toilet soap and detergent. The sanitary master was found to be improper based on sanitary regulation. Based on data analysis, water sanitation and hygiene practices were inadequate due to significant difference in available toilets and water facility, hand-washing practices and hygiene conditions. Hence, good policy making, implementation and management of these facilities provides adequate water, sanitation and hygiene eliminating contagious diseases. Key words: Hand-washing, open defecation, water, sanitation, hygiene. Full Text PDF (310 KB) |
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