A knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) study of Buntungwa clinic catchment area in Mansa, Zambia, regarding water, sanitaion and hygiene education
Date
2011-05-11
Authors
Kaiko, Sitali Mubiana
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Abstract
The title of the study was: A Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) Study of
Buntungwa clinic catchment area in Mansa, Zambia, regarding Water, Sanitation and
Hygiene Education. The purpose of the study was to assess the levels of knowledge,
explore attitudes and practices (KAP) of residents of Buntungwa clinic catchment area in Mansa district of Luapula province in Zambia, with regards to water, sanitation and hygiene. Buntungwa clinic was established in the 1970s. At the time of this study, no KAP study had been undertaken in the area, although the health institution has been carrying out health education since its establishment. The study was conducted between May 2008 and February 2009.
The objectives of the study were;
1) to assess knowledge levels of Buntungwa clinic catchment area residents with regards
to water, sanitation and hygiene;
2) to explore attitudes of Buntungwa clinic catchment area residents concerning water,
sanitation and hygiene;
3) to explore practices of Buntungwa clinic catchment area residents concerning water,
sanitation and hygiene; and
4) to establish factors that influenced knowledge, attitudes and practices among
Buntungwa clinic catchment area residents with regard to water, sanitation and hygiene.The methodology that was adopted for the study was basically descriptive. Data was collected using Questionnaires, Focused Group Discussions (FDGs) and Interviews. The
questionnaires were administered on hundred (100) respondents; one from each of the
100 households, were selected using systematic sampling technique.Key informants
were selected purposively.Data was analyzed using quantitative and qualitative procedures.Major findings in terms of knowledge, attitudes and practice were: A large number of respondents had knowledge and positive attitudes, but could not put their knowledge into practice; secondly, another number of respondents had knowledge, though with negative attitudes; while other respondents did not have enough knowledge to influence their attitudes and practice. This level of knowledge, nature of attitudes and practices predisposed the community to water, sanitation and hygiene related diseases.The following were the recommendations advanced in order to raise community members' knowledge and improve their attitudes and practices with regards to water,sanitation and hygiene. The Ministry of Health, Education, Local Authorities and other stakeholders should:
1.Give priority to health education and hygiene promotion by adopting the Participatory Hygiene And Sanitation Transformation (PHAST) approach.
2.Ensure that health and hygiene education focuses on garbage disposal, hand washing
after latrine use and drawing water, water treatment, hand washing with soap or ash,
signs and symptoms of diarrhoea and knowledge on ground water contamination.
3.Promote hand-washing with soap by identifying and encouraging other stakeholders such as NGOs so that they start soap making projects in the community in order to make soap available and affordable
4.Train neighbourhood health committees to lobby local authorities for sponsorship,
construction and appropriate location of communal water points within the community. Priority should be given to residential areas with worst water problems and high densities of populations.
5. Ensure that water sources are designed so as to provide for easy drawing of water
using the 20 litre container, which is also a standard measure for water treatment with
chlorine. This should be done by Mansa Municipal Council.
6. Protect natural springs found in the community because natural springs can be a good source of drinking water during the hot-dry season.
7. Encourage the community members to engage in income generating activities so as to
raise their economic status in order to enable them afford essentials necessary for
carrying out positive sanitation and hygienic practices.
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Keywords
Education