Authors
Rakesh PS1, Usha S2, Subhagan S3, Shaji M4, Sheeja AL5, Faizal Subair6
1District Epidemiologist, National Health Mission, Kollam;
2Department of Zoology, SN Women’s college, Kollam;
3District Program Manager, National Health Mission, Kollam;
4Dy. District Medical Officer, Kollam;
5District Reproductive and Child Health Officer, Kollam;
6School Health Co-ordinator, National Health Mission, Kollam
Abstract
Introduction: Schools with poor water, sanitation and hygiene conditions are high-risk environments for children, and exacerbate children’s susceptibility to many infections. The objective of the current study was to assess the water quality and basic sanitation in the schools in Kollam district.
Methods: It was a cross sectional study which included describing the sanitary conditions at school using a check list, analyzing microbiological quality of drinking water samples from schools and two focus group discussions (FGDs) with school health nurses to explore the details of study findings.
Results: Data was collected from 78 Government and Government aided schools. Facilities for treated drinking water was avail- able at 42/75 (56%) schools. Toilets were available in all schools. But the ratio of toilet (latrine + urinals) to student varies from 1: 10 to 1: 137. Only 11.5% (9/78) schools have arrangements to clean toilets regularly on every day and 37.1% of the schools have majority of the toilets with washing facilities attached to it. Two out of 70 drinking water samples collected showed heavy growth of E.coli. FGD revealed that the proportions of students using the sanitary facilities at schools are less. The major reason attributed was poor hygiene of the toilets and limitation in time- as the break is short and the numbers of usable toilets are less in number.
Conclusion: The present environment and sanitation facilities at many of the schools at Kollam district are not fully satisfactory. It is required to provide the future citizens of the nation with a healthy school environment.
Keywords: Water quality and sanitation in schools, UN Millennium Development Goals, Survey in schools