Factors Associated with Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in a Schistosomiasis Endemic Community in Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

<title>Abstract</title> <bold>Background</bold> : Schistosomiasis, a chronic waterborne disease, remains endemic in rural Nigeria, driven by poor water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) conditions. This study assessed factors associated with WASH in Otamokun, a schistosomiasis-endemic community in Oyo State. <bold>Methods</bold> : A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 321 residents selected through multi-stage sampling. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire and an observational checklist and analyzed in SPSS v24 using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, bivariate, and multivariate regression analyses. <bold>Results</bold> : The mean age was 32.20 ± 14.97 years; most participants were married (72.9%), over half had no or only primary education (55.2%), and 57.3% lived in households of six or fewer. Water availability was associated with being 18–34 years (aOR = 3.48; 95% CI: 1.14–10.63), being unmarried (aOR = 0.33; 95% CI: 0.13–0.81), and identifying as Christian. Sanitation availability was linked to being 18–24 years (aOR = 0.27; 95% CI: 0.08–0.93), having no education (aOR = 0.38; 95% CI: 0.17–0.88), and being unmarried (aOR = 2.11; 95% CI: 1.04–4.29). Availability of water and soap for hygiene was associated with being 25–34 years (aOR = 0.28; 95% CI: 0.10–0.81), having a household size ≤6 (aOR = 1.71; 95% CI: 1.01–2.88), having secondary education or higher (aOR = 2.87; 95% CI: 1.56–5.29), and identifying as Muslim. <bold>Conclusion</bold> : WASH conditions in Otamokun remain inadequate, sustaining schistosomiasis transmission. Interventions targeting household, socioeconomic, and environmental determinants are essential to improve water access, sanitation, and hygiene practices.