A Descriptive Study to Assess the Knowledge and Practice Regarding Water, Sanitation and Hygiene among Women in Selected Villages of Udupi District

Abstract

Background : Safe drinking water and basic sanitation is of crucial importance to the prevention of human heath1. Water can become a vehicle for transmission of feco oral group of infections, because the fecal contamination of water is common and its avoidance and subsequent purification is vigilant2. One of the goal of MDG states - Halve, by 2015, the proportion of people without sustainable access 3 to an improved water source and sanitation3.Materials and methodology : A descriptive study was undertaken among 300 samples, in adopted villages of MCON Manipal, Udupi District using structured questionnaire. SPSS 16.0 software was used for data analysis.Results : Findings of the study showed that 42% had average knowledge and majority (75 %) of the subjects followed unsafe practices on water, sanitation and hygiene. Majority (88 %) of the subjects performed unskilled hand washing.Conclusion: Water pollution is a growing hazard in many developing countries due to human activity. Water is an essential factor in the economic, social and cultural development of community. It can eliminate diseases, and improve quality of life