Effectiveness Of Water, Sanitation And Hygiene (Wash) Interventions In Changing Mothers’ Behaviour And Improving Child Health: A Case Study Of Kamukunji Sub County, Nairobi County

Abstract

This study sought to look into effects of WASH in altering the character of a mother’s practices and enhancing a child’s wellbeing in Kamukunji Sub County, Nairobi County. The study adopted a longitudinal/cohort design. It aimed at all toddlers below 5 years aboding at Kamukunji sub County of Nairobi County. 60 households in the area were targeted. 60 respondents took part in this research. The research constituted both questionnaires for care givers and interview guides for Community Health Workers to collect data. Chi square testing was done using Pearson’s coefficient. This was done by the use of SPSS. It should be noted, however that this calculation was based on only the close ended part of the questionnaire. The study found that most of the respondents who don’t have a toilet at their residence use the neighbour’s toilet. Majority of the respondents do not have a refuse pit but they dispose of their refuse in open land, toilets or by burning. The study also revealed that water that families collects from the sources was insufficient for their drinking needs. The study indicated that respondents pay for water they fetch from their sources with majority of them paying one shilling per litre. Further the study indicated that water which was being got from the source would be considered unsafe for drinking. The study indicated that there is a considerable number of households that have no soap in the house though majority of the residents had soap in their houses. The study revealed that in the last six months’ majority of children under five years were suffering from diarrhea. The study concludes that the water in Kamukunji is insufficient and unsafe for drinking. The study recommends proper construction of latrines to eliminate fear, training on use of latrines, public awareness and training of mothers on the need for hand washing