Water and sanitation hygiene knowledge, attitudes and practices among school settings in rural Chennai

This pilot cross-sectional study was conducted to assess water and sanitation hygiene-related knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) among rural school students in Chennai, South India in September 2013. A convenient sample of 80 participants (70 children and 10 staff members) was enrolled in the study. The inclusion criteria included participants residing in rural areas and studying in a government school. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to assess sociodemographic and school characteristics and water and sanitation hygiene (WASH)-related KAP. The mean age of the students was 14 years (SD = 2) and half of them were females. The school had a government drinking water supply and did not use any water treatment/purification method. The majority of the participants had correct WASH-related knowledge. However, one-third of the students reported diarrheal episodes in the school due to unsafe drinking water. There was disparity in the response of the students compared to the staff about toilet facilities in the school. This study concluded that there is a need for multifaceted intervention that will facilitate adequate water and sanitation hygiene practices among school children through the availability of proper sanitation infrastructure and family-centered education.