Assessment of WASH Practices among Households in Alimosho LGA, Lagos State

CHAPTER ONE:

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Access to safe water, adequate sanitation and hygiene (WASH) is fundamental to preventing water?borne diseases, reducing child morbidity and promoting overall community health (World Health Organization, 2021). Globally, insufficient WASH conditions account for an estimated 829?000 deaths annually, most of which occur in low-and middle-income countries (World Health Organization, 2021). In Nigeria, the 2021 Water Sanitation and Hygiene: National Outcome Routine Mapping (WASHNORM) survey reported that only 67% of households have access to basic water services and merely 46% to basic sanitation services, while 23% still practice open defecation (Federal Ministry of Water Resources, National Bureau of Statistics, & UNICEF, 2022). Urban centres such as Lagos State with its rapid population growth are particularly hard hit; studies indicate that informal settlements experience higher rates of water?borne disease due to inconsistent water supply and poor waste disposal (Aminu & Udeze, 2023). Alimosho LGA, the state’s most populous local government area, hosts a mix of planned and unplanned communities where WASH infrastructure often lags behind demand. Poor household water treatment and substandard sanitation facilities in this setting heighten the risk of diarrhoeal diseases, typhoid fever and cholera among residents (Aminu & Udeze, 2023; Federal Ministry of Water Resources et al., 2022).

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Despite national policy frameworks and substantial investment in urban water supply and sanitation, many households in Alimosho LGA continue to rely on unprotected wells, boreholes with intermittent supply, or vendor?supplied water of uncertain quality. Only a fraction of homes are connected to sealed sewage systems, and indiscriminate refuse dumping remains commonplace (Sanitation and Water for All, 2022). These deficits contribute to recurrent outbreaks of diarrhoeal disease—accounting for up to 71.8% of reported water?borne illnesses in comparable Lagos slum settings—and impose a heavy burden on both household economics and the local health system (Aminu & Udeze, 2023). There is, therefore, an urgent need to document current WASH practices at the household level in Alimosho, identify key determinants of inadequate hygiene behaviours, and inform targeted interventions.

1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study

Aim:

To assess water, sanitation and hygiene practices among households in Alimosho LGA, Lagos State.

Specific Objectives:

1. To determine the sources of water and frequency of household water treatment practices.
2. To examine the types of sanitation facilities used and refuse?disposal methods.
3. To evaluate knowledge, attitudes and practices related to hand hygiene.
4. To identify socio?demographic factors associated with safe WASH behaviours.

1.4 Research Questions

1. What are the primary sources of water for households in Alimosho LGA and how often do they treat it before use?
2. Which types of sanitation facilities and refuse disposal methods are most commonly employed?
3. What is the level of knowledge and frequency of proper hand washing practices among respondents?
4. Which socio-demographic characteristics predict safe WASH behaviours in this community?

1.5 Scope of the Study

This study will be conducted in selected communities within Alimosho LGA, Lagos State. It will involve households resident for at least six months and focus on water sourcing, treatment, sanitation facility use, refuse disposal and hand hygiene practices. Data collection will occur over a three month period, from September to November 2024.

References

Aminu, F. O., & Udeze, E. (2023). Relationship between water, sanitation, hygiene practices and the incidence of water?borne diseases among urban slum households in Lagos State, Nigeria. Journal of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Animal Sciences, 4(1), 1–20.

Federal Ministry of Water Resources, National Bureau of Statistics, & UNICEF. (2022). Water, sanitation and hygiene: National Outcome Routine Mapping (WASHNORM) 2021: A report of findings. Abuja, Nigeria: Author.

National Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Water, sanitation, hygiene, and waste management report. Retrieved from https://www.nigerianstat.gov.ng/elibrary/read/950

Sanitation and Water for All. (2022). Nigeria country overview. Retrieved from https://www.sanitationandwaterforall.org/sites/default/files/2022-07/2022%20Country%20Overview_Nigeria.pdf

World Health Organization. (2021). Global water, sanitation and hygiene annual report 2021. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240057258

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