Sanitation-hygiene Knowledge, Practices and Human Health Impacts: Insights from Coastal Bangladesh

Authors

  • Md. Shohel Khan Department of Environmental Science and Disaster Management, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali 3814, Bangladesh and Institute of Bangladesh Studies, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh
  • Shitangsu Kumar Paul Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.19184/geosi.v8i2.39584

Keywords:

Coastal area, human health, cleanliness, sanitary inspection tool

Abstract

Better sanitation and hygiene are very significant for sound health for human lives  and  it  protects  various  water  borne  disease.  This  study  aims  to  find sanitation-hygiene  knowledge,  practices  and  impacts  on  human  health  of coastal  Bangladesh.  Rajoir  (Sarankhola),  Gangarampur  (Batiaghata)  and Ganapatipur  (Kalaroa)  villages  are  purposively  designated  from  shoreline, interim    and    inland    coast.    Data    are    collected    with    semi-structured questionnaire  between  July-October  2022  and  analyzed  through  SPSS  and map is produced with Arc GIS.  Overall about 9.6, 36.3 and 54.1% respondents have good, moderate and poor knowledge regarding sanitation and hygiene. Overall  about  57%  respondents  have  accessed  sanitary  latrines.  About  67% respondents  claimed  that  their  children  deface  are  thrown  in  the  toilet, followed  by,  around  the  house  (16%).  About  70,  83  and  84%  respondents washtheir hands with soap/handwash after defecation in shoreline, interim and inland area, followed by, 34, 35 and 27% before taking meal; 19, 19 and 4% before cooking; 9, 21 and 16% after household chores. Cleanliness index are categorized  into  satisfactory  levels  except  water  containers  for  shoreline (0.677) and inland (0.718) areas. About 96% (shoreline), 91% (interim) and 95% (inland)  respondents  claimwomen  playa  direct  role  during  collection  of water. Based on sanitation inspection tool, overall 6, 41, 47 and 3% tube-wells are grouped into very high, high, intermediate and low risk categories. About 57%  (shoreline),  48%  (interim)  and  36%  (inland)  water  sources  are  grouped into ‘high’s category. The study suggestto formatmanagement committee to monitor proper sanitation and hygiene systems.

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Published

2023-08-29

How to Cite

Khan, M. S., & Paul, S. K. (2023). Sanitation-hygiene Knowledge, Practices and Human Health Impacts: Insights from Coastal Bangladesh. Geosfera Indonesia, 8(2), 133–151. https://doi.org/10.19184/geosi.v8i2.39584

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Original Research Articles