The Relationship between the Wash, Morbidity, and Childhood Undernutrition among the Wogo, an Island Community in Western Niger

Abstract

In Niger, diseases linked to poor WASH (Water, Sanitation, Hygiene) practices are one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality among children under five. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between WASH and morbidity and the nutritional status of children aged 0 to 59 months in the rural island commune of Wogo de Sinder, located in the Tillabéry region in the West. of Niger. This cross-sectional descriptive study involved a representative and random sample of mothers of children aged 0 to 59 months. A questionnaire was completed through a structured interview. The data were collected with ODK software and then analysed with SPSS and Epi Info version 7.2. A total of 250 mothers were enrolled. The study shows that most mothers surveyed used surface water (90%) for drinking water, while 10% used groundwater. Around 49.2% of mothers said that their home is on the banks of the river, compared to 36.8% who lived less than 30 minutes away. Their main water storage containers are jars and buckets, with 42.4% and 36.6%, respectively. Among the respondents, 40.4% did not practice any water treatment, 53.2% filtered the water with a cloth, and 6.4% treated the water with bleach. Only 21.6% of mothers washed their hands with soap after using the toilet or feeding the infant. About 72% of households did not have a latrine. Wasting, underweight and stunted growth affected 31.2%, 41.6%, and 43.2% of children whose mothers did not wash their hands with soap. Morbidity affected 35.2% of children whose mothers used surface water for drinking water. WASH knowledge and practices remain inadequate in the rural commune of Sinder and negatively affect the nutritional and health status of children under 5.