Assessment of water, sanitation and hygiene practices associated with diarrhea prevalence among households’ members in flood prone areas: A cross-sectional study along Kilombero valley

Abstract

Introduction: The prevalence of diarrhea at household level in flood prone areas are largely associated with inadequate or poor water, sanitation and hygiene practices such as use of untreated drinking water, use of unimproved sanitation facilities and inadequate hand washing practices. Residents in flood prone areas experience flooding incidences which eventually alters their hygienic status due to limited safe water sources and sanitation facilities. The study aimed at assessing water, sanitation and hygiene practices associated with diarrhea prevalence among households’ members in flood prone areas of Kilombero Valley. Methods: Cross sectional study was conducted early of August, 2017 in the flood prone areas of Kilombero Valley involving household interviews. About 384 heads of households were interviewed in order to determine the prevalence of diarrhea and the associated WASH practices. Results: The prevalence of diarrhea was 30.6%. WASH characteristics showed that between 6% and 57% of households responded to use improved water supply, Household Water Treatment, improved sanitation and good hygiene condition. Treating drinking water (AOR=2.729, 95%CI 1.169-6.370, p=0.020), Sanitation status (AOR=6.749, 95%CI 1.602-28.434, p=0.009) and use of pit latrine without slab (AOR=8.213, 95%CI 2.070-32.587, p=0.003) increased the risk of diarrhea. Also, use of good storage facilities (AOR=0.272, 95% CI 0.099-0.742, p=0.011), and handwashing after using toilet (AOR=0.513, 95% CI 0.229-0.881, p=0.015) were associated with reduced risk of diarrhea. Conclusion: The study reveals that, households’ members in flood prone areas are at high risk of diarrhea associated with poor WASH practices. The intervention programmes enhancing use of effective household treated drinking water, improved sanitation facilities and handwashing status should be undertaken in order to reduce the burden of diarrhea disease in flood prone areas of Kilombero Valley.