Assessment of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene [WASH] in Health Care Facilities within Schistosomiasis Endemic Districts in Ghana

Abstract

Globally, Schistosomiasis remains a significant public health problem and burden in the tropical regions which affect millions of people. Poor water, sanitation and hygiene [WASH] services and infrastructure increases the risk of occurrence of Schistosomiasis. Although there are existing studies on schistosomiasis prevalence and risk factors in Ghana, there is a scarcity of information regarding WASH services specifically within healthcare facilities in highly endemic regions. This study aimed to assess WASH in healthcare facilities across schistosomiasis endemic districts in Ghana's Oti and Upper East regions. The study assessed WASH services and infrastructure in all 197 healthcare facilities in Ghana's Oti and Upper East regions using a quantitative study design. The research employed the WHO/UNICEF Water and Sanitation for Health Facility Improvement Tools [WASH FIT] for data collection from healthcare workers and analysed using STATA version 16. The study focused on districts with high schistosomiasis endemicity. The ethical approval was received from the Navrongo Health Research Centre, Institutional Review Board [NHRCIRB] and appropriate consent was sorted from all health facilities heads and Ghana Health Service. WHO/UNICEF WASH FIT evaluation tool revealed critical deficiencies in 197 healthcare facilities, including 22.3% lacking improved water sources, 66.7% better water supply, and 67% low water availability and sufficiency. Additionally, sanitation facilities faced challenges, with 14% improved toilets, and 33.33% less usable toilets. The study highlights the gaps in WASH in health care facilities which can result in increased transmission of schistosomiasis. This implies the need for policy interventions to improve healthcare WASH services through targeted investments, infrastructure enhancements, and comprehensive programs, while also recommending further longitudinal studies.