Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals: A Mixed Methods Study of Health-Related Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) for Indigenous Shawi in the Peruvian Amazon

Paola A. Torres-Slimming, Carlee Wright, Cesar P. Carcamo, Patricia J. Garcia, Research Team Ihacc and Sherilee L. Harper
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Paola A. Torres-Slimming: Graduate´s School, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Av. Honorio Delgado 430, Urbanización Ingeniería, San Martín de Porres, Lima 31, Peru
Carlee Wright: School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 116 St & 85 Avenue, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
Cesar P. Carcamo: Indigenous Health Adaptation to Climate Change, 116 St & 85 Avenue, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
Patricia J. Garcia: Indigenous Health Adaptation to Climate Change, 116 St & 85 Avenue, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
Research Team Ihacc: Indigenous Health Adaptation to Climate Change, 116 St & 85 Avenue, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
Sherilee L. Harper: School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 116 St & 85 Avenue, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 13, 1-17

Abstract: Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG-6) addresses poor water quality, inadequate sanitation, and improper hygiene, all of which negatively impact health and disproportionately impact Indigenous Peoples’ health. Understanding and responding to local contexts is critical to effectively improve water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH); however, in-depth understanding of local knowledge, practices, and perceptions are often overlooked. As such, this study described the knowledge, practices, and perceptions of WASH held by residents of two Indigenous Shawi communities in the Peruvian Amazon. Quantitative data were collected via a cross-sectional survey and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Qualitative data were collected via interviews, PhotoVoice, focus group discussions, and participatory transect walks, and analyzed using a constant comparative approach to thematic analysis. Emergent themes included characterizing water sources, collection methods, and consumption patterns; knowledge, perceptions, and practices related to WASH; and knowledge and perceptions of health issues related to WASH. This study provides insight into the ongoing challenges related to WASH in Indigenous communities in the Peruvian Amazon and highlights the need to prioritize interventions that will advance WASH-related SDGs.

Keywords: indigenous health; Shawi; sustainable development goals; SDG-6; Peru; WASH; water security (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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