The status of school sanitation facilities in some selected primary and secondary schools in Dessie City Administration, South Wello Zone, Amhara Region

Abstract

Abstract Background: There is a growing demand on school hygiene and sanitation facilities given the growing number of school enrolment in Ethiopia. A safe school environment plays a key role in facilitating education and enduring pupils with improved life skills. Although there is much attention given for the expansion of schools to reach all school aged children in Ethiopia, the concern on focusing school hygiene and sanitation remains to be a challenge. Objectives of the study: A assessing the status of water and sanitary facilities in selected schools of Dessie Town with the intention of obtaining exploring baseline to serve for implementation of an Urban Health Extension Program in the region. Methods: This study was done in May 2010 in Dessie City Administration. Questionnaire-based interviews with school principals and record reviews supplemented by physical observation were used to collect the necessary data. Descriptive statistics was used to present the findings. Results: The overall latrine to school population ratio was (1:64), which was about twice less than the recommended one. The ratio for female students was significantly lower than that for males. The access to drinking water facilities (water taps) and hand washing facilities were very much limited to the extent not conforming to the standard. The presence of school-based water, sanitation, and hygiene committee and clubs was unheard. Conclusion: The inadequate sanitation facility in schools poses a health risk that would impact students’ potential to attend education. Hence, a coordinated effort among all concerned school to safeguard the school environment should be considered as one part of the path for reaching the MDG goals with respect to at least sanitation. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2013;27(1):80-84]