Assessment of sanitation and hygiene in public primary schools in Kakamega Municipality Division

Abstract

Introduction: In Kenya, adequate sanitation coverage has dropped from 49% to 43% in recent years. The challenge of addressing sanitation has been compounded by rising population. Free Primary Education rolled out in 2003 resulted in increased enrolment of learners in Kenyan schools. Consequently, many schools are very far from achieving acceptable levels of sanitation and hygiene and adequate supply of water. The available facilities are unsuitable. If school sanitation and hygiene facilities are unavailable, unmaintained or misused, schools become hazardous to the entire school community. An assessment of sanitation and hygiene in school is, therefore, important. This study assessed the state of sanitation and hygiene in public primary schools in Kakamega Municipality Division. Objectives: The study was guided by four objectives: to establish the standard of cleanliness of the facilities in public primary schools within Kakamega Municipality; to identify the factors that affect the sanitation and hygiene in public primary schools; to assess the knowledge and practices of the pupils towards sanitation and hygiene in public primary schools; and to identify the common diseases related to poor sanitation and hygiene in public primary schools in Kakamega Municipality. Methodology: All 25 public primary schools located in Kakamega Municipality Division participated. The descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. Stratified random sampling was used to select 400 pupils between class 4 and 7. Twenty-five (25) teachers were purposively sampled. Study tools used were an observational checklist and structured questionnaires. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 21. Descriptive statistics including mean and cross tabulations were used. Pearson’s Chi-Square test was used to determine relationships between the variables. P values of 0.05 or less were considered to be significant. Approval by Internal Research and Ethics Committee of the University and informed consent from all study participants was sought. Results: The state of sanitary facilities in schools was poor, unmaintained and inadequate in almost 50% of schools. This demonstrated that investment in school infrastructure was not accorded due priority. Negative effects on pupil’s health were due to inaccessible safe drinking water and inadequate sanitary infrastructure despite pupils demonstrating acceptable levels of knowledge on personal hygiene and sanitation. As a result, pupils suffered from communicable diseases such as diarrhoea, flu, and typhoid which could be prevented by improving sanitation in schools. Conclusion: The study concluded that physical infrastructure in schools within the study area was in a deplorable state and inadequate for the pupil population. Gaps were identified in school management of resources and enforcement of school health laws. Recommendations: All buildings in schools to be designed and constructed based on minimum requirement as stipulated in the Building Code and Public Health Act Cap 242. Public health practitioners should ensure copies of policy and guidelines are availed in all school. The Ministry of Education should provide adequate infrastructures such as classrooms and latrines in schools.