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Water, sanitation, hygiene and waste disposal practices as COVID-19 response strategy: insights from Bangladesh

Author

Listed:
  • S. M. Didar-Ul Islam

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Prantor Kumar Mondal

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Nathanael Ojong

    (York University)

  • Md. Bodrud-Doza

    (BRAC)

  • Md. Abu Bakar Siddique

    (BRAC)

  • Moazzem Hossain

    (Institute of Allergy and Clinical Immunology of Bangladesh (IACIB))

  • Mohammed A. Mamun

    (Centre for Health, Innovation, Networking, Training, Action and Research-Bangladesh
    Jahangirnagar University)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a global emergence, and the absence of a proven vaccine or medicine has led to the implementation of measures to prevent and control the spread of the virus. Wearing protective equipment like mask and gloves, washing hands via soap, frequent use of antiseptic solution and maintaining social distance are being applied globally to reduce the transmission rate. Therefore, this study was intended to investigate water, sanitation and hygienic (WASH) behaviour, protective equipment use and their disposal practices among Bangladeshi residents amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the study aims, data were collected mainly via an online survey and analysed through a set of statistical tools including T test, one-way ANOVA and principal component analysis (PCA). This study found that almost 89.80% of the respondents reported to know about the COVID-19 and its preventive measures. WASH status of the respondents is found quite good, where 94.60% stated to have available potable water, 99% have improved toilet facilities, 95% wash their hands via soap, and 79.80% clean their house and toilets by antiseptic solutions properly. Moreover, nearly 94.50% and 54.80% people reported to use face mask and hand gloves, respectively, but the disposal practice of these protective equipment is inappropriate. More than 50% of people reported disposing of their used mask, gloves and tissue with other household wastes, which is alarming for public health and environmental perspective. Moreover, the WASH and waste disposal practices of the marginal people were found very poor and not at a satisfactory level. The results of statistical analysis focused on WASH and waste disposal practices as well as the factors which influence these practices. It is found that gender, occupation, area of residence, and level of education of the participants mainly influence the WASH and waste disposal practices. It is expected that this study exposed the necessity to introduce proper infectious waste management policy and also the increase in awareness level among mass people regarding the preventive measures of COVID-19 infection to combat against disease transmission and environmental pollution.

Suggested Citation

  • S. M. Didar-Ul Islam & Prantor Kumar Mondal & Nathanael Ojong & Md. Bodrud-Doza & Md. Abu Bakar Siddique & Moazzem Hossain & Mohammed A. Mamun, 2021. "Water, sanitation, hygiene and waste disposal practices as COVID-19 response strategy: insights from Bangladesh," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(8), pages 11953-11974, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:23:y:2021:i:8:d:10.1007_s10668-020-01151-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-020-01151-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. M. A. Rifat & Asit Biswas & Hazera Binte Sufian & Faria Azad & MD Khurshidul Zahid, 2018. "Socio-Economic Status, Hygiene Practices and Microbial Exposure of the Waste Collectors of Dhaka City in Bangladesh," Global Journal of Health Science, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 10(12), pages 1-96, December.
    2. Payal Hathi & Sabrina Haque & Lovey Pant & Diane Coffey & Dean Spears, 2017. "Place and Child Health: The Interaction of Population Density and Sanitation in Developing Countries," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 54(1), pages 337-360, February.
    3. Christos Nicolaides & Demetris Avraam & Luis Cueto‐Felgueroso & Marta C. González & Ruben Juanes, 2020. "Hand‐Hygiene Mitigation Strategies Against Global Disease Spreading through the Air Transportation Network," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 40(4), pages 723-740, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Louis Lebel & Hap Navy & Phoummixay Siharath & Chau Thi Minh Long & Nilar Aung & Phimphakan Lebel & Chu Thai Hoanh & Boripat Lebel, 2023. "COVID-19 and household water insecurities in vulnerable communities in the Mekong Region," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(4), pages 3503-3522, April.
    2. Lebel, L. & Aung, N.| & Long, C. T. M. & Siharath, P. & Lebel, P. & Navy, H. & Hoanh, Chu Thai & Lebel, B., 2022. "Stakeholder perspectives on COVID-19 and household water access in vulnerable communities in the Mekong Region," Papers published in Journals (Open Access), International Water Management Institute, pages 69(6):1066-.
    3. Negar Omidakhsh & Ondine S. von Ehrenstein, 2021. "Improved Water, Sanitation and Utilization of Maternal and Child Health Services in South Asia—An Analysis of Demographic Health Surveys," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-11, July.

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