A Systematic Review: Costing and Financing of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) in Schools

Abstract

Abstract:Despite the success of recent efforts to increase access to improved water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) globally, approximately one-third of schools around the world still lack adequate WASH services. A lack of WASH in schools can lead to the spread of preventable disease and increase school absences, especially among women. Inadequate financing and budgeting has been named as a key barrier for integrating successful and sustainable WASH programs into school settings. For this reason, the purpose of this review is to describe the current knowledge around the costs of WASH components as well as financing models that could be applied to WASH in schools.Results show a lack of information around WASH costing, particularly around software elements as well as there is a lack of data overall for WASH in school settings as compared to community WASH. This review also identifies several key considerations when designing WASH budgets or selecting financing mechanisms. Findings may be used to advise future WASH in school programs.

Challenges regarding the control of environmental sources of contamination in healthcare settings in low-and middle-income countries - a narrative review

“…This can be achieved through lobbying government officials as well as other relevant stakeholders [66]. Although globally, governments have increased allocation of national funds and spending for universal WASH in schools and health care facilities [34,67], there remain significant gaps between plans and available budgets within many LMICs, with 80% of countries reporting that they lack sufficient funds to dedicate for WASH [68]. The commitment made by Heads of State in the African Union to allocate 15% of their respective national budgets to health at the Abuja Declaration of 2001 [69] is yet to be implemented.…”

The practice of menstrual hygiene management and associated factors among secondary school girls in eastern Ethiopia: The need for water, sanitation, and hygiene support

“…23 Nonetheless, inadequate funding and budgeting have been identified as a major impediment to integrating successful and sustainable WASH programs into school settings. 37 One of the most important ways to improve sustainability was to involve the community by making users more responsible for program operation and maintenance once donors or private financiers were no longer involved. By encouraging community involvement, it may be easier to take advantage of local resources, build local capacity for WASH, ensure user satisfaction, and involve under-represented groups such as women.…”

“…36 Safe water supply, sanitation facilities, excellent hygiene practice, menstrual hygiene management, and solid and liquid waste management are among the minimal standards for school WASH programs. 37 …”

Gender Responsiveness of Provisioning and Management of Water and Sanitation Facilities in East African Universities

“…Effective awareness creation is an effective method for creating a demand for better sanitation and promotes sustainability (McGinnis, 2017). It is also beneficial to know the benefits accrued in the provision, safeguarding and management of water and sanitation infrastructure.…”

“…As a result, effective awareness creation provide strategies to educate community members about water and sanitation facilities provisioning and management, encourage community involvement and facilitate behavior change (McGinnis, 2017). There is a body of literature on water and sanitation in educational institutions.…”