Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) in Schools: A Catalyst for Upholding Human Rights to Water and Sanitation in Anápolis, Brazil

Carmencita Tonelini Pereira, Sabrina Sorlini, Josivaldo Sátiro and Antonio Albuquerque ()
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Carmencita Tonelini Pereira: CeTAmb, Department of Civil, Environmental, Architectural Engineering and Mathematics, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
Sabrina Sorlini: CeTAmb, Department of Civil, Environmental, Architectural Engineering and Mathematics, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
Josivaldo Sátiro: GeoBioTec, Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Beira Interior, 6200-358 Covilhã, Portugal
Antonio Albuquerque: GeoBioTec, Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Beira Interior, 6200-358 Covilhã, Portugal

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 13, 1-17

Abstract: Ensuring access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities, along with behavior change education in schools, is essential for fostering a conducive learning environment and promoting principles of inclusion, dignity, and equality. This study focuses on 12 primary schools in Anápolis, Brazil, with a total of 4394 students and 248 teachers. WASH assessments were conducted using a questionnaire, observations of water and sanitation facilities, and microbiological analysis. Between 2018 and 2020, the proportion of schools with safely managed drinking water increased from 42% to 92%. However, sanitation conditions in the schools were categorized as basic, with hygiene services rated as limited in 92% of the schools due to the absence of soap. While this study shows that Anápolis schools generally meet WASH guidelines for basic/advanced drinking water services, there is a crucial need for improvements in both hardware and software facilities to address sanitation and hygiene challenges.

Keywords: drinking water; human rights; SDG 6; services ladders; wash in schools (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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