Dear Friends/Co-sailors,
A recent study by researchers from Emory University USA and the
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine UK confirms many of our views on
sanitation. We at Water Initiatives
Odisha (WIO) have been emphasising, for more than two decades that ‘Sanitation
is not just about Toilets.’
Sharing below link to a news published in the study for your
information.
Would draw your notice to the following few lines from the news
as they bring forth the real issues quite correctly:
During the study period, average proportion of households
with latrine in intervention villages increased from nine per cent to 63 per
cent compared to 12 per cent from eight per cent in control villages. However,
researchers found no evidence that access to latrines protected against
diarrhoea in children. Week-long prevalence of diarrhoea reported among
children in intervention group was 8.8 per cent while it was 9.1 per cent in
control group.
What is more, the intervention also did not reduce
prevalence of parasitic worms that are transmitted through soil and affect
physical growth and lead to impaired cognitive function in children. There was
also no marked improvement on child weight or height, as measures of
nutritional status, among the intervention group.
We have been advocating, toilets alone won’t ensure good
health and hygiene. WIO believes that
ecological health of villages and urban areas is a precursor to healthy
living. The focus of all programmes therefore
should not just be in building toilets but on promoting ‘ecological health’
that includes safe and healthy water bodies, clean drinking water, natural
forest diversity and organic agriculture.
Thanks and regards,
Ranjan
Link to the news on the study: Source: http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/Total-Sanitation-Lacks-Thrust-in-Odisha-Study/2014/10/15/article2478582.ece
Total Sanitation Lacks Thrust in Odisha: Study
BHUBANESWAR: Increasing coverage of the Total Sanitation
Campaign (TSC) and equipping more number of households with latrines has not guaranteed
the health benefits associated with sanitation. TCS, the world’s largest
sanitation initiative, might be taking giant strides in enhancing access to
latrines in India. But, it has not brought any significant reduction in
exposure to faecal pathogens or decreased occurrence of diarrhoea, parasitic
worm infections or child malnutrition, an extensive study in rural Odisha
published in the latest issue of the prestigious ‘Lancet Global Health’ journal
has found.
The study led by Professor Thomas Clasen from Emory
University, Atlanta, USA and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical
Medicine, UK, in collaboration with Department of Civil and Environmental
Engineering, University of California-Davis, USA, Xavier University,
Bhubaneswar and School of Biotechnology, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, took
into consideration about 100 villages in Puri district.
Involving as many as 9,480 households with at least one
child below four years or a pregnant women, the study conducted from mid-2010
to 2013-end has brought the perception-busting facts to the fore. Households in
half the villages were randomly assigned for immediate sanitation interventions
while others were controlled to receive such interventions after a 14-month
surveillance period.
During the study period, average proportion of households
with latrine in intervention villages increased from nine per cent to 63 per
cent compared to 12 per cent from eight per cent in control villages. However,
researchers found no evidence that access to latrines protected against
diarrhoea in children. Week-long prevalence of diarrhoea reported among
children in intervention group was 8.8 per cent while it was 9.1 per cent in
control group.
What is more, the intervention also did not reduce
prevalence of parasitic worms that are transmitted through soil and affect
physical growth and lead to impaired cognitive function in children. There was
also no marked improvement on child weight or height, as measures of
nutritional status, among the intervention group.
These results are in contrast to the assumptions of
significant health gains from rural household sanitation interventions.
Household sanitation leads to other benefits as convenience, dignity, privacy
and safety but health benefits cannot be derived simply by constructing
latrines.
“The programme is effective in building latrines but not all
households participate. Moreover, many householders do not always use the
latrines. This, combined with continued exposure from poor hygiene,
contaminated water and unsafe disposal of child faeces may explain lack of
health impact,” Prof Clasen said. While further studies are needed to pinpoint
reasons behind low positive health impact, the researchers have suggested some
possible explanations including inconsistent use of latrines, lack of proper
handwashing practices, good personal hygiene, and even animal faeces. Along
with efforts to expand sanitation coverage, approaches need to not only meet
coverage-driven targets but also achieve levels of uptake, the researchers have
stressed.
By SN Agragami Published: 15th October 2014
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