Baseline assessment of water, sanitation hygiene practices in the slums of Puducherry using quantitative methods
Client:Sanitation First
Location: The survey was conducted in five slums in Puducherry, namely Santhikuppam, G N Palayam, Vaikal Mettu Theru, Periyapet, and Thidir Nagar.
Background Context: In 2014, Sanitation First (SF) installed 44 GroSan toilets in Puducherry with the aim of reducing open defecation in slum areas. GroSan toilets are based on the composting EcoSan principle, with solid waste safely held in containers, and urine piped into tanks for collection. Following the positive response to the intervention in the first phase, SF was invited by the Government of Puducherry and the Slum Clearance Board to install 50 GroSan toilets in more slum areas in Puducherry.
Before initiating the next phase, SF intended to understand WASH practices and toilet use and establish benchmarks to assess the impact at the end of the project period.
Objectives
To measure the impact of Sanitation First’s interventions in the slums of Puducherry, Development Solutions was commissioned to undertake a baseline survey to assess the inhabitants’ current access and use of water, toilet use and practices, and solid waste management. The baseline survey was conducted in five slums across Puducherry to assess:
- Access and use of water
- Toilet use and practices
- Solid waste management
- MHM and hygiene practices
- Health and quality of life
Approach and Methodology
- Method/ Design: A quantitative household survey was undertaken across the five slums where the SF interventions were proposed to be undertaken.
- Key Respondents/ Informants: A household questionnaire was developed, and responses were taken from the head of the household or any adult member, depending on availability.
- Key Areas of Inquiry: Knowledge and practices related to the collection and storage of drinking water, availability of toilets and defecation practices, awareness of hygiene practices, menstrual hygiene management, solid waste management, incidences of disease, perceptions of quality of life, and overall satisfaction and sense of well-being in the communities.
- Sample: 241 households across 5 slums
Impact
Findings informed decision-making regarding scaling up the project in the five locations to enable access to water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities in the community and enhance their overall health and quality of life.
Contact
17/109, Lower Ground Floor, Vikram Vihar, Lajpat Nagar IV, New Delhi – 110024