A Study on Water Sanitation Hygiene & Hand Washing Practices among Mothers Of Under 5 Children Attending Tertiary Care Hospital In Kolkata, India

Abstract

Safe drinking water, basic sanitation & hygiene is one of the prime concerns globally. Hand washing with soap is a cost effective way of reducing diarrhoeal disease, acute respiratory infections. But a substantial numbers of women in India have lack of access to these basic facilities & poor practice of hand washing. An observational cross sectional study was undertaken among 300 mothers of under 5 children attending NRS Medical College during three months period, to assess the water & sanitation facilities available to them & their knowledge & practices regarding hand washing. 51% of mothers had piped drinking water supply, only 35% purified water, principally by boiling. 20% of participants practice open field defaecation in spite of having access to latrines. Hand washing practice of mothers regarding timing & material used was good. More emphasis must be given to improved access of water, sanitation facilities as well as their utilization & also on hand hygiene behaviour & knowledge of mothers.