Authors: Ahmed Hassan Saed, Mohamed Omar Abdulle, Ibrahim Abdifatah Isack
Published 17 June 2021, African Journal of Health and Medical Sciences
Background
Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) is generally a challenge in Somalia, particularly in IDP settlements where access to water and sanitation facilities is limited. Children, particularly those under the age of 5 years, mostly fall victim to diseases caused by poor sanitation and hygiene practices. The objective of this study was to evaluate the availability of safe water and sanitation facilities in internally displaced (IDP) camps in kahda district Mogadishu Somalia.
Methods
This study was a descriptive cross-sectional baseline assessment. The study areas included 4 IDP camps in Kahda district with a sample size of 163 households, drawn from 270 households from selected 4IDPs. Closed-ended questionnaires and observational checklists were used as data collection tools, and the study employed descriptive statistics with frequencies and percent in tables.
Results
Of the total 163 households, about 84 (51.5%) household's water sources were hand-dug well with pump, and Most of the households 100 (61.3%); spent 3km walk to obtain water from their nearest point source. Regarding water consumption per day, about 66(40.5%) households had consumed 120 liters per day and 39 (23.9%) of households with 61-90 liters of water per day, and 38 (23.3%) households with 40 -60 liters. Besides, more than half of respondents, 113 (69.3%), did not have enough water, with a considerable number of households 105 (64.4%) do not perform water treatment to improve the quality of their drinking water. Many households did not have latrines, with the majority of them sharing latrines with neighbors. Those who had latrines were unhygienic, and a majority of the respondents admitted they do not wash their hands after using toilets.
Conclusion
The study reveals the low availability of water and sanitation facilities among IDPs in kahda districts. Though they were low socio-economic status groups, health promotion related to infection control measures and maintenance of personal hygiene should be provided.