The functionality and maintenance of water, sanitation and hygiene facilities at government aided schools in Kole South County, Kole District – Uganda

Abstract

Introduction: Properlymaintained and functional water, sanitation and hygiene(WASH) facilities inschools are important components that aid to avoid or reduce on sanitation and waterrelated diseases amongst learners hence promoting proper retention of pupils at schools forquality learning and good performance. Objectives Assement of the functionality and maintenance of water, sanitation and hygiene(WASH) facilities in public primary schools in Kole South county, kole District so as to come up with the data that can be usedto develop appropriate intervetions to address the gaps identified as detractors for functionality and maintenance of WASH facilities in public primary schools. Methods The study was a cross sectional study design where both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection were used. Qualitative data was collected using key informamant interview guides and analysed basing on the themes whilst quantitative data was collected using semi structured questionaire. The data was then entered in epidata and analysed using stata version 15. Frequencies and percentages were presented using tables and graphs. Results The study revealed that all, 100% of schools had functional WASH facilities for instance water source, latrines and handwashing facilities though only 8% of pupils (respondents)acknowledged having handwashing facilities at different points of needs and only 39% of respondents reported having handwashing facilities with water and soap for proper handwashing. The study also revealed poor state of operation and maintenance of school latrines as 72% of resondents reported having latrines without door shutters coupled up withunsightly condition and bad smell in their schoolsas a result of poor cleaning habit of either once a week or twice a week but not on daily basis. In addition to that, 127(26%) of respondent acknowledged having water sources 500 meters and beyond from their schoolswhich detracted them from fetching water on daily basis to clean the WASH facilities in their schools. Conclusion There is poor state of WASH facilities in public primary schools within Kole South-county, Kole district. This is characterised by bad smell coupled up with unsightly condition in the sanitary accommodation. Lack of door shutters in the sanitary accommodation plus lack of handwashing facilities with soap at different points of need within the school is also another indicator