A Convergent Mixed Methods Study on the Availability and Functionality of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Facilities in Public Institutions in Nasarawa State, Nigeria
Document Type : Original Article
Authors
- 1 Global Health and Infectious Diseases Control Institute , Nasarawa State University Keffi, Nigeria
- 2 Global Health and Infectious Diseases Control Institute, Nasarawa State University Keffi, Nigeria
- 3 1Global Health and Infectious Diseases Control Institute, Nasarawa State University Keffi, Nigeria
Abstract
Background: Functional water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services are essential for preventing cholera and other waterborne diseases, yet infrastructure availability does not always ensure reliable service delivery. Evidence on WASH functionality in Nigerian public institutions remains limited. This study assessed availability, functionality, and vulnerability of WASH facilities in selected Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Nasarawa State to inform interventions.
Methods: A mixed-methods cross-sectional study was conducted in 24 public facilities across six LGAs, including markets, motor parks, Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities, and government secondary schools. Structured observational assessments, based on WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme-aligned indicators, covered water supply, sanitation, hygiene, and environmental sanitation. Twenty-four Key Informant Interviews with institutional stakeholders were thematically analysed. A Composite WASH Vulnerability Index classified facilities as low, moderate, or high vulnerability.
Results: Boreholes were the predominant water source (75.0%); however, only 45.8% were fully functional, while 54.2% were partially functional or non-functional. Although flush toilets were available in 75.0% of facilities, 25.0% had no toilet facility. Hygiene infrastructure was inadequate, with 75.0% lacking handwashing stations and none providing soap and water. Overall, 45.8% of facilities were highly vulnerable. Motor parks had the highest mean vulnerability score (3.3/4), while PHC facilities had the lowest (0.3/4). Doma and Kokona LGAs showed the highest vulnerability profiles. Key barriers included unreliable electricity, inadequate maintenance funding, seasonal flooding, and weak policy implementation.
Conclusion: WASH functionality, not infrastructure availability alone, determines environmental health vulnerability in public facilities, highlighting the need for functionality-focused interventions, particularly in high-risk motor parks and markets.
Methods: A mixed-methods cross-sectional study was conducted in 24 public facilities across six LGAs, including markets, motor parks, Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities, and government secondary schools. Structured observational assessments, based on WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme-aligned indicators, covered water supply, sanitation, hygiene, and environmental sanitation. Twenty-four Key Informant Interviews with institutional stakeholders were thematically analysed. A Composite WASH Vulnerability Index classified facilities as low, moderate, or high vulnerability.
Results: Boreholes were the predominant water source (75.0%); however, only 45.8% were fully functional, while 54.2% were partially functional or non-functional. Although flush toilets were available in 75.0% of facilities, 25.0% had no toilet facility. Hygiene infrastructure was inadequate, with 75.0% lacking handwashing stations and none providing soap and water. Overall, 45.8% of facilities were highly vulnerable. Motor parks had the highest mean vulnerability score (3.3/4), while PHC facilities had the lowest (0.3/4). Doma and Kokona LGAs showed the highest vulnerability profiles. Key barriers included unreliable electricity, inadequate maintenance funding, seasonal flooding, and weak policy implementation.
Conclusion: WASH functionality, not infrastructure availability alone, determines environmental health vulnerability in public facilities, highlighting the need for functionality-focused interventions, particularly in high-risk motor parks and markets.
Keywords
Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) functionality
Waterborne diseases
water supply
Sanitation
hygiene
Public institutions
Nigeria