scholarly journals Challenges of Access to WASH in Schools in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Case Study from Rural Central Kazakhstan

Author(s):  
Zhanerke Bolatova ◽  
Kamshat Tussupova ◽  
Berik Toleubekov ◽  
Kanat Sukhanberdiyev ◽  
Kulyash Sharapatova ◽  
...  

Safe water and sanitation, which give rise to appropriate hygiene, are fundamental determinants of individual and social health and well-being. Thereby, assessing and widening access to sustainable, durable water and sanitation infrastructure remains a global health issue. Rural areas are already at a disadvantage. Poor access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) can have a major negative effect on students in rural schools. Thus, the paper aims to assess the current condition and the challenge to access WASH in rural Kazakh schools. The study was conducted in three rural schools in Central Kazakhstan. Data were gathered through a survey among pupils, observations of the WASH infrastructure and maintenance, and a face-to-face interview with school administrators. The mean survey response rate was 65% across schools. Results indicated there was no alternative drinking-water source in schools, and 15% of students said they had access to water only occasionally. Half of the students reported that the water was unsafe to drink because of a poor odor, taste, or color. The toilet in school 3 was locked with a key, and a quarter of the students reported there was no access to a key. Moreover, not having gender-separated toilet facilities was a challenge because of the traditional gender norms. Despite the effective regulations and measures of handwashing taken during COVID-19, 27.7% of the students answered that soap was not offered daily in classrooms. Additionally, warm water was only provided in school 2. About 75% of students did not have access to drying materials continuously. The study shows that having the schools’ infrastructure is not enough when characteristics, such as availability, accessibility, maintenance, operation, quality of services, education, and practices, are ignored. Cooperation between local education authorities, school administration, and parents should be encouraged to the achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) by 2030.

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 785-797 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Cassivi ◽  
Elizabeth Tilley ◽  
E. O. D. Waygood ◽  
Caetano Dorea

Abstract Billions of people globally gained access to improved drinking water sources and sanitation in the last decades, following effort towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Global progress remains a general indicator as it is unclear if access is equitable across groups of the population. Agenda 2030 calling for `leaving no one behind', there is a need to focus on the variations of access in different groups of the population, especially in the context of low- and middle-income countries including Malawi. We analyzed data from Demographic Health Survey (DHS) and Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) to describe emerging trends on progress and inequalities in water supply and sanitation services over a 25-year period (1992–2017), as well as to identify the most vulnerable populations in Malawi. Data were disaggregated with geographic and socio-economic characteristics including regions, urban and rural areas, wealth and education level. Analysis of available data revealed progress in access to water and sanitation among all groups of the population. The largest progress was generally observed in the groups that were further behind at the baseline year, which likely reflects good targeting in interventions/improvements to reduce the gap in the population. Overall, results demonstrated that some segments of the population – foremost poorest Southern rural populations – still have limited access to water and are forced to practise open defecation. Finally, we suggest including standardized indicators that address safely managed drinking water and sanitation services in future surveys and studies to increase the accuracy of national estimates.


Water Policy ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 627-642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edina Sinanovic ◽  
Sandi Mbatsha ◽  
Stephen Gundry ◽  
Jim Wright ◽  
Clas Rehnberg

The burden of water-related disease is closely related to both the socio-economic situation and public health issues like access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene services. Poverty eradication, through improved access to water and sanitation, is the South African government's major priority. This is partly achieved through subsidising the cost of water and sanitation provision to the poor in rural areas. Whilst the new policies have made a remarkable impact on improved access to water and sanitation services, a general problem since the new approach in 1994 has been the lack of integration of policies for water and sanitation and health. This paper analyses the policies concerning rural water supply and sanitation in South Africa. It considers the structure of institutions, the division of responsibilities and legislated and financial capacity of the South Africa's water sector. A more integrated approach for the policies aiming at water access, sanitation and health is needed. In addition, as the local government's capacity to implement different programmes is limited, a review of the financing system is necessary.


2012 ◽  
Vol 518-523 ◽  
pp. 4126-4129
Author(s):  
Zhen Hua Liu

Source of water is the beginning of rural drinking water projects, safe water source is the key to rural drinking water safety. Status of rural drinking water source in china and laws and regulations on rural water conservation were analyzed. The population of centralized water supply accounts for 51% of the total population in rural areas in 2008, centralized water supply 49%. Groundwater source accounts for 57% of the population of centralized water supply projects in rural areas in 2008, surface water sources 43%. China has a relatively sound legal system of drinking water source, including basic law, general law, administrative regulations, local regulations.The paper draws a conclusion that sources of drinking water in rural areas is mainly groundwater, water conservation is short of specific laws and regulations and not suitable for rural area,it is necessary to improve laws and regulations on rural water conservation, government must assume responsibility for rural water conservation, especially financial investment and public policy support.


Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1605 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naomi Carrard ◽  
Tim Foster ◽  
Juliet Willetts

Groundwater is widely acknowledged to be an important source of drinking water in low-income regions, and it, therefore, plays a critical role in the realization of the human right to water. However, the proportion of households using groundwater compared with other sources is rarely quantified, with national and global datasets more focused on facilities—rather than resources—used. This is a significant gap in knowledge, particularly in light of efforts to expand water services in line with the inclusive and integrated agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals. Understanding the prevalence of groundwater reliance for drinking is critical for those involved in water services planning and management, so they can better monitor and advocate for management of water resources that supports sustainable services for households. This paper contributes data that can be used to strengthen the integration of resource considerations within water service delivery and inform the work of development partners supporting this area. We approach this issue from two perspectives. Firstly, we collate data on the proportion of households using groundwater as their primary drinking water source for 10 Southeast Asian and Pacific nations, finding an average of 66% (range of 17–93% for individual countries) of households in urban areas and 60% (range of 22–95%) of households in rural areas rely on groundwater for drinking. Together, these constitute 79% of the total population across the case study countries. Secondly, we review current and emerging groundwater resource concerns within each country, using a systems thinking approach to assess how groundwater resource issues influence household water services. Findings support the case for governments and development agencies to strengthen engagement with groundwater resource management as foundational for achieving sustainable water services for all.


Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 3468
Author(s):  
Carolina Rodríguez ◽  
Rafael Sánchez ◽  
Natalia Rebolledo ◽  
Nicolás Schneider ◽  
Jennyfer Serrano ◽  
...  

Water scarcity is one of the most important climatic threats in recent times. In Chile, the north and north-central areas, with predominantly arid or semi-arid climates, have been strongly affected by the low availability of water, as well as by overexploitation of water resources derived from the negative effect caused by some sectors of the economy such as agriculture and mining. Only 53% of households in rural areas in Chile have access to drinking water from a public network. To date, some pilot greywater treatment systems have been implemented in rural public schools. This paper presents an economic analysis of pilot systems for greywater treatment from three case studies. The results showed that the implementation of these systems would not be economically feasible, since the initial investment costs can exceed USD 5200, which is not offset by the water savings. However, other benefits, such as thermal regulation, better life quality, and the feeling of well-being and satisfaction of students and teachers should be considered to be paramount for the evaluation of treatment systems. In addition, current levels of treated greywater could allow irrigation of 6.24, 5.68, and 3.56 m2/person in the Alejandro Chelén, El Guindo, and Pedro de Valdivia schools, respectively. These results contribute to a better understanding of the social role that should be applied to the evaluation of ecological systems that save water and improve the well-being of the population.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Z Bolatova ◽  
B Toleubekov ◽  
D Kulov ◽  
K Sukhanberdiyev ◽  
K Tussupova

Abstract Background The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) call for universal coverage and access to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) for all by 2030. Access to WASH in schools is one of the priority areas, considering Joint Monitoring Program is lacking the data from many developing countries, particularly, rural areas including Kazakhstan. The aim of the paper is to assess the access to WASH at schools in rural regions of central Kazakhstan. Methods The study was conducted in three rural schools using focus group discussion with school heads, the observation of drinking water and sanitation units, and a questionnaire survey among 166 pupils. All tools cover the set of questions about the availability and the privacy of WASH facilities, accessibility, acceptability to pupils, functionality. Results Results of the study show that the main water source of Algabas and Kerney schools is a centralized piped water supply provided into the school building and 85,91% of pupils from these schools report the uninterrupted availability of water from this source. However, Sartau has its well, and only 51,72% of pupils from this school indicate that water from the main source is continuously available. All toilets are flushing toilets inside of schools and not connected to the centralized sewage system. The maximum number of the toilet is 6 in the Kerney school; however, this amount of toilets is not enough for the number of pupils by the national norms. Majority of pupils (89,15%) report that the school toilets are always available. Nevertheless, 34,87% of pupils indicate no toilet paper as a reason for not using the school toilet. Handwashing facilities are located near the toilets and in classrooms. Only 53,02% have soap available and 42,77% have access to hand drying facilities after handwashing. Conclusions The current study shows rural schools of Central Kazakhstan are not provided with sufficient materials for pupils to manage personal hygiene appropriately. Key messages The study is essential for mapping the situation of WASH in schools. This study provides the baseline data for JMP; consequently, it is crucial to plan the UN SDGs in Kazakhstan.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Cassivi ◽  
Elizabeth Tilley ◽  
E.O.D. Waygood ◽  
Caetano Dorea

AbstractBillions of people globally gained access to improved drinking water sources and sanitation in the last decades, following effort towards the Millennium Development Goals. Global progress remains a general indicator as it is unclear if access is equitable across groups of the population. Agenda 2030 calling for “leaving no one behind”, there is a need to focus on the variations of access in different groups of the population, especially in the context of least developed countries including Malawi. We analyzed data from Demographic Health Survey (DHS) and Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) to describe emerging trends on progress and inequalities in water supply and sanitation services over a 25-year period (1992 - 2017) and to identify the most vulnerable population in Malawi. Data were disaggregated with geographic and socio-economic characteristics including regions, urban and rural areas, wealth and education level. Analysis of available data revealed progress in access to water and sanitation among all groups of the population. The largest progress is generally observed in the groups that were further behind at the baseline year, which likely reflects good targeting in interventions/improvements to reduce the gap in the population. Overall, results demonstrated that some segments of the population - foremost poorest Southern rural populations - still have limited access to water and are forced to practise open defecation. Finally, we suggest to include standardized indicators that address safely managed drinking water and sanitation services in future surveys and studies to increase accuracy of national estimates.


2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
John D. McLennan

While not designated as an improved drinking water source, bottled water is increasingly used by households in low- and middle-income countries as families strive to obtain perceived safer drinking water. The Dominican Republic has high levels of bottled water use despite high levels of piped water access. This study aimed to identify household characteristics that are associated with choosing bottled over tapped drinking water in the Dominican Republic through further examination of data available from a nationally representative Demographic and Healthy Survey from 2007. Among households reporting tapped water as their primary non-drinking water source, 59.6% identified bottled water as their principal drinking water source in comparison with 24.7% identifying tapped water. Greater wealth explained the largest amount of variance in bottled over tapped drinking water. Other hypothesized variables related to choosing bottled over tapped included residence in more urban settings, having a young child in the household, having fewer persons in the household, and a head of household who is female, younger and with higher education. Nationally, representative data which include components investigating perceptions about drinking water and actual quality of drinking water are required to further understand this phenomenon and its impact.


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