WATSAN in Africa

This blog will discuss one of the biggest issues affecting water and sanitation in Africa - open defecation. We will explore the causes, consequences and solutions to this phenomenon.   Recognised as a human right by the UN, access to clean WASH facilities is still a distant dream for many. Astonishingly,  946 million  individuals globally still resort to open defecation, a practice where human waste is disposed of in the open, bypassing toilet facilities.   This issue is most pronounced in developing nations, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. A staggering 90% of those practising open defecation took place in rural areas in these areas ( Saleem et al. 2019 ). Recent research highlights that nations like Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Niger, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Chad have significant populations engaging in this practice ( Fagunwa et al., 2023 ). Alarmingly, if no decisive actions are taken, 274 million Africans in just ten countrie...

Hey there, welcome back to my blog!   Remember our last discussion on how crucial WATSAN environments are in Tanzania’s health sector? Well, this time, we're taking a closer look at a specific case that really brings this issue to life. Picture of a Tanzanian dispensary In Tanzania's southern highlands, the local dispensaries are the lifeline for maternal and newborn health. A staggering 43% of deliveries happen right there in these facilities. But there's a catch – the water and sanitation conditions in these areas have been less than ideal, posing severe risks to both mothers and newborns  (Benova et al., 2014) . The link between sanitation, water and maternal mortality is clear. Poor sanitation during labour can lead to infections, and unsafe water storage can expose pregnant women to life-threatening infections  (Emerson & Purcell 2004) . This isn't just about maternal health; it's about the future of the children too. Early childhood infections can leave la...

Welcome back to my blog!  Today, we will look into the heart of Africa, specifically focusing on Tanzania, to unravel the crucial link between water, sanitation, and childbirth. The importance of water and sanitation (WATSAN) in Africa cannot be overemphasised, and the urgent need for improvement in this area is more evident than ever. In this post, we look at how access to clean water and proper sanitation can change lives, especially when it comes to maternal health.  To understand the significance of WATSAN, let's rewind to the late 18th century when  the connection between poor hand hygiene and puerperal sepsis  (a severe infection during childbirth) was first acknowledged. This ground-breaking insight led to a decline in maternal mortality rates. Today, the World Health Organization  (WHO)  emphasises the importance of handwashing during deliveries, even in home settings. These guidelines play a key role in ensuring safe birthing practices.  Fig.1...