ASSESSING THE AVAILABILITY AND UTILISATION OF WATER, SANlTATION AND HYGIENE (WASH) FACILITIES IN PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN THE ZABZUGU DISTRICT OF GHANA

Abstract

Water, sanitation and hygiene are crucial drivers of public health. The availability, , accessibility and usage of WASH facilities are associated with levels of morbidity, mortality and cost of treatment of diseases related to WASH among hand washing facilities, respectively in the schools. Of the WASH facilities, community members, particularly children. This study assessed the availability and usage of existing WASH facilities in primary schools in the Zabzugu district. The study was a descriptive cross sectional survey. Simple random sampling technique was used to sample out 25 schools out of 50 of which semi-structured questionnaires were administered to the head teachers or their representatives. Observational checklist and focus group discussions for pupils and teachers were also used and the data was analysed using SPSS. The results showed that WASH facilities were found in about 74% of schools (except menstrual hygiene management facility which was not available). Borehole was the main sources of water (36%) for schools with water and river/stream for those without water (28%). KVIP (100%) and Veronica bucket (87%) were the commonest toilet and 54.5% were good with 36.5% and 9% of them being satisfactory and bad respectively: 51 % of the schools had functional facilities, 20.5% had partially functional facilities and 35% had non-functional facilities. Subsequently, convenience (28%) was the main reason for toilet use while smelly toilets (28%) repelled children from using the toilets. Distance to water source (64%) was the main limiting factor to access water at school. Primary schools in the Zabzugu districts do not have adequate WASH facilities while existing facilities are under- utilized.