Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Mahalaqua Nazli Khatib, Anju Sinha, Gaurav Mishra, Syed Ziauddin Quazi, Shilpa Gaidhane, Deepak Saxena, Abhay M. M. Gaidhane, Pankaj Bhardwaj, Shailendra Sawleshwarkar, Quazi Syed Zahiruddin
Summary: Evidence for the effectiveness of WASH interventions for COVID-19 is mainly based on indirect evidence from SARS. The included studies consistently show that measures such as hand washing, sterilization, gargling, and cleaning/showering are protective against COVID-19 and SARS. However, the quality of evidence is low, and more high-quality studies are needed.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jamil Ahmed, Li Ping Wong, Yan Piaw Chua, Muhammad Zafar Iqbal Hydrie, Najeebullah Channa
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate WASH services in primary schools in Pakistan and their relationship with school performance. Findings revealed low Basic WASH facilities coverage in schools in Sindh province, with inconsistencies in availability, accessibility, and functionality of WASH facilities. School performance was significantly associated with the presence of WASH interventions and/or policies.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Mina Hosseinpourtehrani, Thayaparan Gajendran, Kim Maund, Michael Sing
Summary: Collaboration between government organizations (GOs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in providing WASH services in the post-disaster phase is critical to avoid disease transmission and reduce susceptibility to disease-bearing vectors. Factors influencing collaboration include a shared vision, good coordination, and clear roles and responsibilities. Effective communication and cooperation processes are key to successful collaboration.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ankita Pran Dadhich, Pran N. Dadhich, Rohit Goyal
Summary: Rural areas in India lack improved drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) facilities. This study conducted a household survey using GPS technology to evaluate WaSH conditions in the region and utilized machine learning algorithms for risk mapping and prediction. Results showed that while toilet facilities have improved, there is still a gap between ownership and usage. Factors such as the presence of toilets in houses, water supply in toilets, and high literacy rates were found to increase toilet usage. The study highlights the association between gender inequalities and WaSH conditions, emphasizing the potential of the WaSH index as a monitoring tool.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Cho Zin Win, Warit Jawjit, Romanee Thongdara, Shabbir H. Gheewala, Trakarn Prapaspongsa
Summary: Clean water and sanitation are vital for human development, but most water and sanitation projects worldwide fail, leaving 2.4 billion people without improved WASH services. This study assessed and compared the sustainability of WASH projects in Myanmar using the CLTS and PHAST approaches with the UNICEF Sustainability Check, and evaluated their contribution to the Myanmar National WASH Strategy. The findings highlight the need for collaboration with local government, community participation, and integration of behavioral change activities to ensure project sustainability.
ENVIRONMENT DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Article
Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism
Johanna Loehr, Dawn Gibson, Andrew Buckwell, Sera Vada, Christopher Fleming, Patricia Bibi, Nanise Masau, Wade Hadwen, Bronwyn Powell, Helen Johnson
Summary: This study investigates the impact of COVID-19 on tourist hotel choices in Fiji and finds that there are three types of tourists who have a strong interest in hygiene practices. The study also suggests that hotel operators can enhance their appeal by implementing socially inclusive WASH practices.
CURRENT ISSUES IN TOURISM
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wonder Mafuta, Jethro Zuwarimwe, Marizvikuru Mwale
Summary: The study assessed access to WASH services in the Jariban district of Somalia, finding that some households did not have access to safe drinking water sources and the majority of respondents only obtained approximately 13 liters of water per person per day. Female-headed households were more likely to treat water, and further research is recommended for a more in-depth cross-sectional analysis.
Article
Immunology
Justin Im, Md Taufiqul Islam, Faisal Ahmmed, Deok Ryun Kim, Ashraful Islam Khan, Khalequ Zaman, Mohammad Ali, Florian Marks, Firdausi Qadri, Jerome Kim, John D. Clemens
Summary: The study found that good household water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices were associated with lower typhoid risk. Additionally, the surrounding households' good WASH coverage was also linked to reduced risk, suggesting that improving WASH conditions could enhance typhoid control in disease-endemic populations.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Souphalak Inthaphatha, Viengsakhone Louangpradith, Leyla Isin Xiong, Valee Xiong, Ly Ly, Vue Xaitengcha, Alongkone Phengsavanh, Nobuyuki Hamajima, Eiko Yamamoto
Summary: This study in Lao PDR focused on school sanitation and menstrual health of secondary school girls, finding factors associated with school absence due to menstruation, such as age over 16, higher income, menstrual anxiety, using painkillers, improper disposal of sanitary pads, living with relatives, and location of schools. Recommendations include gender-separated school toilets with waste bins, starting menstrual education at elementary schools, and promoting teacher training on menstrual health.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Stephanie O. Sangalang, Allen Lemuel G. Lemence, Zheina J. Ottong, John Cedrick Valencia, Mikaela Olaguera, Rovin James F. Canja, Shyrill Mae F. Mariano, Nelissa O. Prado, Roezel Mari Z. Ocana, Patricia Andrea A. Singson, Maria Lourdes Cumagun, Janine Liao, Maria Vianca Jasmin C. Anglo, Christian Borgemeister, Thomas Kistemann
Summary: This study examined the effects of a school water, sanitation, and hygiene intervention on children's health in Metro Manila, Philippines. The results showed that increasing the intensity of health education reduced the prevalence of malnutrition, overnutrition, and severe dehydration, and increased the prevalence of observed handwashing. However, no improvements were observed in the prevalence of undernutrition or overall health literacy scores.
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jane Wilbur, Sharika Ferdous, Lorraine Wapling
Summary: People with disabilities and older adults in low- and middle-income countries face high risks of dying from COVID-19 and have inadequate access to water, sanitation and hygiene facilities. The Hygiene Behavior Change Coalition was established to limit the spread of COVID-19 in these countries. However, there is a lack of targeted activities specifically designed for these populations.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Camille Williams, Elizabeth D. Thomas, Jennifer Kuhl, Lucien Bisimwa, Nicole Coglianese, Sarah Bauler, Ruthly Francois, Ronald Saxton, Presence Sanvura, Jean Claude Bisimwa, Patrick Mirindi, Jamie Perin, Christine Marie George
Summary: The study in the eastern DRC under the REDUCE program found that perceived susceptibility and self-efficacy are important factors influencing caregivers to prevent children from playing with dirty objects, while in handwashing behavior, perceived susceptibility, self-efficacy, and disgust are key factors.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Oscar Omondi Donde, Evans Atoni, Anastasia Wairimu Muia, Paul T. Yillia
Summary: While higher prevalence and mortality rates of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 have been reported in high-income countries like the United States, Europe, and Asia, many low-income countries have experienced lower rates despite socioeconomic burdens, highlighting the critical role of water, sanitation, and hygiene in preventing infectious disease transmission like COVID-19.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Meron Girma, Alemayehu Hussein, Tom Norris, Tirsit Genye, Masresha Tessema, Anne Bossuyt, Mamuye Hadis, Cornelia Zyl, Kitka Goyol, Aregash Samuel
Summary: The study shows that while there has been some improvement in basic water and sanitation coverage in Ethiopia, further efforts are needed. Improvements in water and sanitation only modestly explained reductions in diarrhoea and stunting.
MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
S. Satriani, Izana Saffana Ilma, D. Daniel
Summary: This study provides an overview of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) research trends in Indonesia from 1975 until April 2021. The systematic review compiled 272 articles related to the Sustainable Development Goals 6.1 and 6.2 in Indonesia, which were published in the Web of Science and Scopus databases. The results showed that water-related topics were discussed more frequently than sanitation or hygiene. The social theme was dominant, with most articles focusing on the determinants of WASH-related behavior. However, there was a lack of WASH implementation studies or behavioral change interventions in Indonesia, indicating a gap between science and policy or implementation. Hygiene topics and WASH-related financial themes were the least researched. Combinations of topics and themes were also common, suggesting a growing recognition of the need for holistic analysis of WASH problems from multiple perspectives. The study also highlighted research gaps in terms of topics, themes, and regional distribution that should be considered for future WASH research in Indonesia.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)