Status of Water and Sanitation Hygiene at Rural Sindh

Abstract

Objective: To assess the water and sanitation hygiene level at rural areas of Sindh and to determine the frequency of water related diseases. Study Design: Cross Sectional Study Place and Duration: Department of Community Medicine PUMHS SBA Nawabshah. From August 2010 to October 2010 Material and Methods: The situation after Supreme flood in Sindh 2010 at Rural area Hala New was observed on a sample of 166 households with systematic random sample of each lot" house hold in villages in which we were also engaged to check the Out Patients Department OPD as well. Systematic random households were selected and information was collected from questionnaires through interview & physical observation, data were entered in SPSS 17version, analyzed & results were tabulated. Results: In our research study it is seem that rooms per house hold 42% had two rooms,with 60% kitchen at room or at outside of room, while 66% had fuel source of wooden use, in majority occupation was shopkeeper as 25%, illiteracy reflected 20%, with 34% income per month had less than PKR < 5000i= .Source of drinkable water at house hold seem in decreasing order were 74.7% hand-pump. tape water_ motor water , mostly water points were not properly sealed in 60%, followed by 30% having stagnant water available around there water point or houses. While used type of toilet / latrine followed as Non-flush54°A3, with flush 25% and no toilet (jungle system) 20%. Persons used to wash their hands after defecation were 73%. but with soap and water only 29%. Basic house hold waste management showed 30% throw at home corner or at street corner, 36% at village side, and 34% along with animal dung at nearby home. Waste drainage system observed as partial closed at home 40%, drain in to the tank or at village stagnant pond, about 27% of the peoples are knowing that unsafe water can produce disease like abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea. Disease pattern dipicted, Diarrhea 41.08%, Dysentery 20.93%, Skin infection (impetigo-scabies) 19.38%, eye infections (conjunctivitis) 10.850/s, provisional hepatitis (Jaundice) 7.700 Conclusion: In rural community situation reflected that 73% peoples were unaware about poor water and sanitation consequences on health. The water and sanitation condition in rural community is poor and even worse as major issue. There is perfect need to aware communities regarding safe water and sanitation hygiene measures for decreasing the disease burden and improving the health ofrural areas.