ASSESSMENT OF WATER, SANITATION AND HYGIENE AMONG BASIC SCHOOLS IN ELOBEID

Dr. Mohammed Ismail Humaida Ismail*

ABSTRACT

Background: Water and sanitation improvements, in association with hygiene behavior change, can have significant effects on population and health by reducing a variety of disease conditions such as diarrhea, intestinal helminths, guinea worm, and skin diseases. Objective: The objective of this study is to assess water, sanitation and hygiene among Basic schools in El-Obied, North Kordofan State. Methodology: This facility based cross-sectional study comprised of 428 students selected from 12 schools. Data were collected via questionnaire as well as the interviews, observation checklist and bacteriological tests of water. Data were analyzed by SPSS software, version 11.5. Results: The study showed that 13 samples of drinking water contain coliform organism, and 10 samples of water contain E.Coli while 4 samples of water without pollution. Inaddition study showed that 33% of schools under study in El-Obied have unsafe primary water source. The quantity of water was not adequate in all schools under study, and there is no any hand washing facilities in all schools surveyed so the student did not practice handwashing in their schools. The present study showed that a toilets was not available in about three (25%) of schools under study. The study showed that all toilets of schools are dirty, improper design and contains insects of medical important such as flies, and cockroachs. Conclusion: the study conclude that; most of water samples were contaminated, the storage of water in schools was inappropriate and the latrines were dirty insufficient and there is no handwashing facilities in all school under study.

Keywords: Water, Sanitation, Hygiene, basic school, El-Obeid, Sudan.