Susan Dundon

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Country: USA
Background: BA Politics and Economy
Research Project: Knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) survey of water, sanitation and hygiene in Jose Carlos Martiategui, San Juan de Lurigancho, Peru

It is estimated that 50% of all people in the developing world suffer at any given time from a
health problem caused by water and sanitation deficits.  According to the WHO, 94% of
diarrhoeal diseases are caused by environmental factors such as unsafe drinking water and poor
sanitation and hygiene.  
 
Globally, diarrhoea is the second leading cause of death among children under 5 – taking 1.5
million lives annually.  High levels of diarrhoea are associated with malnutrition, stunting, and
long-term cognitive impairments.  
 
Utilizing a 32-question household survey and focus groups, this study focuses on the water,
hygiene, and sanitation knowledge, attitudes, and practices of over 300 households in José
Carlos Mariategui, an impoverished community near Lima.    
 
Survey results show per capita water usage of 13 liters per day.  Levels below 20 liters suggest
water volumes inadequate to support basic personal hygiene and marginally adequate to support
human consumption needs.
 
Nearly 50% of all households and 35.5% of children under 5 reported diarrhoea during the
three months preceding the survey.  Factors associated with higher levels of diarrhoea included
handwashing, pit latrines, water usage, income, and education.  
 
Intervention recommendations include:  1) handwashing promotion; 2) ceramic filters for
drinking water; and 3) sanitation upgrading.
 
 
 
Keywords:  diarrhoea, hygiene, sanitation, water, handwashing.