1.4 WASH

1.4 WASH

By Alexandra Weller

The acronym of ‘WASH’ represents the concepts of water, sanitation and hygiene (Ginja, Gallagher & Keenan, 2019), and is broken down to recognise: - The safe, obtainable and affordable access to water; - The safe source, storage and use of water; - The sustainable maintenance and behavioural practices in relation to water; - The access to clean and safe toilet facilities; - The proper disposal and management of waste; - The educating of hand washing practices; and - The education of menstrual health and hygiene.

The overall efforts of WASH is to promote access to clean water, improved sanitary conditions and promote hygiene and excreta management, to address the existence of the lack of safe sanitation systems which contribute to the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance which may increase the risk of infectious disease throughout a community (Holmes et al., 2016). Access to WASH facilities and education is a fundamental human right and recognised by the United Nations under Goal 6 of the Sustainable Development Goals, as it endeavours to ensure the availability and sustainable management of clean water and sanitation for all (United Nations Department of Global Communications, 2020). However, when inadequate WASH facilities exist within a community, it reinforces the threat and inability to manage, improve and treat conditions of illness, which have the ability to affect the immediate present and the long-term future.

Table 5 Health Impact of Unsafe Sanitation

Direct Impact (Infection) Condition Caused

Faecal-Oral Infections: Diarrhoeas Dysenteries Poliomyelitis Typhoid

Helminth Infections: Ascariasis Trichuriasis Hookworm Infection Cysticercosis Schistosomiasis Foodborne Trematodes

Insect Vector Disease: Lymphatic Filariasis West Nile Fever Trachoma Stunting/Growth Faltering - Related to repeated diarrhea, helminth infections, environmental enteric dysfunction. Consequences of Stunting - Obstructed labour and low birthweight. Impaired Cognitive Function Pneumonia - Related to repeated diarrhea in undernourished children. Anaemia - Related to hookworm infection.

Immediate: Anxiety - Shame and embarrassment from open defecation, shared sanitation and related consequences and not meeting gender specific needs. Sexual Assault Adverse Birth Outcomes - Due to underuse of healthcare facilities with inadequate sanitation.

Long Term: School absence Poverty Decreased economic productivity Antimicrobial resistance

Broader Well-Being

Note. Adapted from World Health Organisation (2014, p.14). by A.Weller, (2021).

In the context of Baghere, it has been recognised there is a severe lack of WASH facilities, practices and understanding in the community landscape and population knowledge on clean water, sanitation and hygiene. It is the lack of access and education which has allowed the identification of four key

concepts which must be addressed in the development of the Women’s Centre; hygiene promotion, water supply, excreta management and solid waste management (Sphere Handbook, 2018).

Figure 5 WASH requirements diagram in the context of Baghere, Senegal

Note. Adapted from the Sphere Handbook by A.Weller (2021).