An assessment of the relationship between water and sanitation and disease prevalence in Kampala district
Abstract
This study assessed the relationship between water and sanitation and disease prevalence in
Kampala district. The objectives for this study were to establish the relationship between water
and sanitation and disease prevalence in Kampala district, establish health and sanitation
challenges facing the people of Kampala district, establish the level of accessibility to safe and
affordable drinking-water in Kampala district and also propose the strategies that can be
adopted to improve sanitation in Kampala district
This study used secondary data from the Uganda National Household Survey 2019/2020
conducted by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS). In terms of coverage, the 2019/20
UNHS covered all the 129 districts in Uganda at that time. The different variables were
subjected to univariate analysis using Stata. This was carried out by use of frequency tables to
describe the structure of the respondents and their different composition. Bivariate analysis of
the variables was carried out where the chi-square statistic test of independence, a non parametric analytical tool was used to examine if the categorical variables under examination
are related or not. During multivariate analysis, the study employed the logistic regression tool
to determine the significant water and sanitation issues that affect health status of individuals
and families in Kampala
Water and sanitation variables that were identified to have impact on disease prevalence were
bathroom facility, solid waste disposal and hand washing facility
The study therefore recommended that the government should develop sanitation programs
under which the challenges should be tackled right from the root rather than attempting to
manage the resultant unpleasant consequence, Privatized waste systems should be explored,
there should be private sector participation i.e., public private partnership in waste
management.
The study concludes that despite the view that improving sanitation can be as simple as
installing a well-designed ventilated pit latrine (VIP) or compositing latrine. Improving
sanitation could be more challenging particularly in rapidly growing urban slums; given that,
while building improved sanitation facilities is a crucial intervention, the full health benefit
will not be realized without proper used and maintenance of the facilities and good personal
and domestic hygiene