Water, Sanitation and hygiene services (Wash) in healthcare facilities in a Nigerian coastal settlement of Oron: A preliminary survey

Abstract

In spite of the overwhelming importance of WASH in healthcare delivery services, there is observed gap on the availability of adequate data set on the water, sanitation and hygiene practices in healthcare facilities in developing countries like the coastal settlement of Oron in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Water, sanitation and hygiene in healthcare facilities are prerequisites for providing good and quality health care services. The deficiency of these services in healthcare delivery facilities has attendants’ consequences on the health status of vulnerable populations. Aside the prevention of infectious disease, the existence of WASH services in healthcare facilities also helps in protecting health personnel, patients and preserves the dignity of exposed populations. Through the use of pilot study and reconnaissance survey of all the eight public health facilities in the coastal settlement, the water, sanitation and hygiene services in the healthcare facilities and their level of compliance with WHO standards were assessed while a laboratory analysis of the microbial properties of the water samples in the health facilities were carried out. The study revealed that 80percent of the medical wastes in the health facilities were disposed of through open-incineration while majority (95percent) of the health facilities do not have access to safe drinking water and improved toilet facilities. It was concluded that the WASH services provided in the coastal settlement do not comply with the global standards set by the WHO and, could be said to be incompatible to the health needs of vulnerable populations. The presence of opportunistic bacteria such as Escherichia Coli (E.coli) and total coliform count in most of the water samples further confirms the water sources in the health facilities as grossly unhygienic. The study recommends a large cale study covering the entire State to be carried out as this could give a better picture of WASH situation and the extent of government commitment in meeting the health needs of the state.