Understanding of Water–Sanitation Practices and Health Risk among Women: A Study of Selected Rural Communities in Abuja, Nigeria

Authors: Ameso VC, Abubakar AW, Mohammed IU

DOI Info: N/A

ABSTRACT

This study examined the water-sanitation practices and health risk perceptions of women in selected rural communities in Abuja, Nigeria by assessing the knowledge of women in the sanitation practices adopted during collection, and preservation of potable water. Descriptive cross-sectional research design was employed and one hundred (100) questionnaires were administered. Eighty-one (81) were retrieved, deemed useful and consequently used for data analysis. The study found that women in the study area are fairly knowledgeable about sanitation practices. Sanitation practices such as washing of hands with soap and water before handling potable water, cleaning buckets, kegs and drums regularly, basic maintenance of hygiene around the water collection and preservation point were observed. The findings revealed moderate health risk perception concerning the consequences of poor water and sanitation practices, inadequate hygiene education, leading to inadequate environmental sanitation. Inadequate maintenance of facilities at water sources, restricted access to pipe-borne water, lack of funding for community sanitation officers, and shortage of community health workers, are the immediate problems faced in the collection and preservation of potable water in the study area.

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