WASH and Health in Sindhupalchowk District of Nepal after the Gorkha Earthquake

Salina Shrestha, Rabin Malla and Futaba Kazama
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Salina Shrestha: Center of Research for Environment, Energy and Water, Kathmandu G.P.O. Box 25563, Nepal
Rabin Malla: Center of Research for Environment, Energy and Water, Kathmandu G.P.O. Box 25563, Nepal
Futaba Kazama: Interdisciplinary Centre for River Basin Environment, University of Yamanashi, 4-3-11 Takeda, Kofu 400-8511, Japan

Societies, 2022, vol. 12, issue 3, 1-13

Abstract: An earthquake of magnitude 7.8 M W and 6.8 M W struck Nepal on 25 April and 12 May, 2015, respectively, which caused massive damage. In such crises, understanding the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) situation is of paramount importance. Therefore, we aimed to assess the WASH situation and its impact on health, particularly in the Sindhupalchowk district. A questionnaire survey and microbial analysis of water samples were conducted. Descriptive statistics and parametric and non-parametric statistical tests were employed. The results revealed that 97.1% of water samples from the source during the pre-monsoon season and 98.5% during the monsoon season had fecal contamination. Similarly, 92.8% of water samples during the pre-monsoon season and 96.7% during the monsoon season at point of use (PoU) had fecal contamination. Furthermore, water consumption was comparatively less during the pre-monsoon season. The increase in water consumption improved hygiene behavior and lowered the prevalence of waterborne diseases. Similarly, less water consumption affected water handling behavior; for example, the cleaning interval of storage vessels was less frequent. An increase in cleaning interval resulted in fecal contamination of water at PoU. The findings of this study can be useful in the review of existing WASH policy and plans and integration with the disaster management plan for disaster risk reduction.

Keywords: Gorkha earthquake; WASH; fecal contamination; point of use; waterborne diseases (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A13 A14 P P0 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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