Assessment of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Practices in the Selected Primary Healthcare Centers in Owerri West Local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria

Water, sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) practices remains an issue of global concern in every community level and larger society because several infections and illnesses are linked to water, sanitation and hygiene. The study aimed to assess water, sanitation and hygiene practices in the selected primary healthcare centers in Owerri West LGA, Imo State. A descriptive cross sectional research design was adopted for this study. A multi stage sampling technique was used in recruiting a total of 387 respondents that participated in this study and a pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data. Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 23.0 was used in the analysis of the study. Results from the study showed that majority, 33.7% (131), of the respondents were between ages 25-34. This study revealed that 56% (217) had access to potable water supply and 51/.7% (200) reported borehole with hand pump as the main source of water supply. In the studied areas; 38.7% (150) reported sachet water popularly known as pure water as the major source of drinking water. Also, 55.6% (215) of the respondents sometimes washed their hands daily, 23% (89) always washed hand. From the finding, 37.5% (145) reported removable plastic waste collection containers (Garbage bins) was used in disposing healthcare waste. Finally, 21.4% (83) used water closets in disposing human waste in the healthcare facilities. The results showed a statistical difference between the age, marital status, cadre of health workers and length in service of respondents and hand washing practices in primary healthcare centers but cadre of health worker (p= 0.0035) and length in service (p=0.0023) were associated with hand washing practices. In conclusion, the study showed that men workers and patients in the healthcare centers responded higher compared to female in relation to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) practice. Therefore, they should provide proper enlightenment programmes on water, sanitation and hygiene in all healthcare centers in Owerri West and beyond.