Effects of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene on the School Absenteeism of Basic Level Students in the Government School of Nepal

Abstract

This study assesses the effect of improved water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services on students’ absenteeism in government basic schools for 10–19 years old in Nepal. This study applied an ex post facto research design on two groups of students: with and without improved school WASH services. This study showed that students in schools with improved WASH services were more likely to be regular in attendance (80%) compared to those without (58%), p < 0.001. There was an association between students’ school absenteeism and student grades, p < 0.05. Moreover, the caste, religion, and grades of students were also associated with students’ school absenteeism, p < 0.001. The analysis further showed that students with improved WASH were more likely to be regular [crude odds ratios (COR) = 0.353; 95% confidence interval (CI); 0.256–0.487, p < 0.001] than those without. This trend was maintained across all demographics. It was significant even after the inclusion of all sociodemographic characteristics and increased rapidly [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.508; 95% CI; 0.334–0.773, p < 0.01]. The Brahmin/Chhetri-Terai and the Dalit students were more likely to be absent (COR = 0.315; 95% CI; 0.153–0.648, p < 0.01 and AOR = 0.274; 95% CI; 0.139–0.542, p < 0.001, respectively) than Brahmin/Chhetri-Hill, Janajati, and other castes. This study underscores the importance of WASH services in schools in reducing students’ school absenteeism. Access to WASH services is recommended with several awareness programs to reduce absenteeism and increase students’ school regularity.

Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene of Nepal: Status, Challenges, and Opportunities

“…If the provision of safe water and proper sanitation near the household could be ensured, millions of hours of water fetching time for women could be saved for income generation and empowerment. Furthermore, the inclusion of women in WASH facilitates SDG 5 of empowering women and girls and SDG 4 of ensuring quality education to all as improved access to WASH services certifies improved student enrollment and attendance, especially of girls . To illustrate this opportunity, we can take a look at the successful implementation of water and sanitation projects within 1200 communities in western Nepal in 2011.…”

“…Furthermore, the inclusion of women in WASH facilitates SDG 5 of empowering women and girls and SDG 4 of ensuring quality education to all as improved access to WASH services certifies improved student enrollment and attendance, especially of girls. 132 To illustrate this opportunity, we can take a look at the successful implementation of water and sanitation projects within 1200 communities in western Nepal in 2011. The project reduced the average time required to fetch water per household by 1.8 h per day.…”