Factors influencing access to basic water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in schools of Bishoftu Town, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Access to basic water, sanitation and hygiene services is the most effective mechanism to reduce many infectious diseases. WASH in schools related to better educational outcomes although adequate water, sanitation, and hygiene services were unavailable to millions of school-age children in Ethiopia. Therefore, it is crucial to assess the level of WASH coverage and identify factors affecting access to basic water, sanitation, and hygiene services. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 82 school facilities. A structured questionnaire and an observational checklist were used to gather the data. Water samples were taken from the schools' water storage. Descriptive and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the data. In this study, 74.7%, 61. 3% and 37.3% of the schools had access to basic drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene services, respectively. Additionally, 21.3%, 29.4%, and 30.7% of the schools had access to limited drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene services, respectively. However, 4%, 9.3%, and 32% of the schools lacked water, sanitation, and hygiene services, respectively. We discovered that schools with male heads were 7% less likely to have access to basic hygiene services (AOR = 0.07 with 95% CI 0.01–0.5) than those with female directors. In addition, schools with hygiene and environmental health clubs had an 11.8-fold higher access rate to basic hygiene services (AOR = 11.8 with 95% CI 1.35–104) than schools without such clubs. Besides, schools that conduct WASH lessons at least once a week were 8.63 times more likely to use basic hygiene services (AOR = 8.63; 95% CI 1.18–63.22) than schools that did not. This study offers scientific evidence that could be used for sound decisions to fill the school WASH gaps. This is a unique study in determining the level of WASH coverage and identifying factors affecting access to basic hygiene services. The investigation provides some insights into how access to WASH services can be improved at the grassroots level. Federal and regional governments should implement effective interventions that assist schools to attain Sustainable Development Goal 6 by 2030. School administrators and other partner organizations should take proactive measures to enhance and maintain the WASH services.

The Status of School Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Services in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Progress Towards Achieving the SDG 6

“…The school basic hygiene service was a statistically significant association with teaching programs and training availability in Addis Ababa schools. This finding was supported by a study done in Bishoftu schools 20 and studies done in Indonesia by Karon. 23…”

“…A study done in Bishoftu town schools' found that about 74.7% had access to basic drinking water, 61.3% had access to sanitation facilities, and 37.3% had access to hygiene services. 20 Another study in Kimbibit Woreda revealed that many schools had poor WASH facilities, with a latrine seat ratio of 60:1, simple pit latrines in 70.8% of schools, only 33.3% schools had sex separated latrines, and only 6.3% had handwashing facilities near the latrine, with none of these facilities had a water supply and soap for handwashing. 21 The progress of WASH services in public primary schools in the South Gondar zone of Northern Ethiopia has also been limited, with only 68.8% of urban students having access to basic drinking water, 66.7% had access to sanitation services, and 35.4% had access to handwashing facilities.…”

Access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services and drinking water contamination risk levels in households of Bishoftu Town, Ethiopia: A cross‐sectional study

“…The investigation was conducted in Bishoftu town. Bishoftu is 44 km from the capital city of Addis Ababa 23,24 . The crater lakes and large swamp areas are part of Bishoftu town's dominant features and play an important role in the area's rapid economic and socioeconomic development.…”

Associations of WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Program (JMP) Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Service Ladder service levels and sociodemographic factors with diarrhoeal disease among children under 5 years in Bishoftu town, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

“…This investigation was performed in Bishoftu town, Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia. It is located at a distance of 44 km from the capital Addis Ababa 29. The town is clustered into nine urban kebeles (administrative units) and five rural kebeles with a total population of 171 227 30.…”

“…The town is clustered into nine urban kebeles (administrative units) and five rural kebeles with a total population of 171 227 30. The latitude and longitude of Bishoftu town are 8.734650 and 39.008533, respectively 31. The elevation of the city is 1920 m above sea level 32.…”