School of Engineering & Architecture

Practices on Menstrual Hygiene Management among Girls Aged 9 to 17 years in Mathioya Sub-County, Murang’a County

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Practices on Menstrual Hygiene Management among Girls Aged 9 to 17 years in Mathioya Sub-County, Murang’a County Nyarenchi, Janet Bosibori Menstrual Hygiene Management is an essential component of women's lives. Morethan50% of teenage girls in low and middle income countries (LMICs) engage in inadequate Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) practices with a larger proportion in rural areas. Limited information regarding the magnitude of the problem of Menstrual Hygiene Management among adolescent females from these areas is known. In addition, limited data regarding the present-day approaches to Menstrual Hygiene Management has been recorded. Majority of published research papers on Menstrual Hygiene Management have primarily examined the types of Menstrual Management Materials as the main obstacles to achieving good MHM practices. This study was important to gain a deeper understanding of MHM practices among adolescent females below 18 years of age. This study’s objectives were to evaluate the existing personal hygiene habits, the type of menstrual management material utilized, and the disposal techniques employed to improve menstrual hygiene practices and overall well-being among adolescent girls in Mathioya sub-county, Murang’a County. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional design and utilized a stratified random sampling technique. For participation, the study recruited a cohort of 387 adolescent females aged 9 to 17 years. Findings showed that 80% of the girls continuously adhered to appropriate personal hygiene practices by showering regularly, whereas 20% held a divergent viewpoint. Ninety-four (94%) of the female participants in the study reported changing their menstrual products every4–6hours, whereas 6% changed them twice within that time frame, depending on the intensity of their menstrual flow. Majority (98%) utilized soap and water for handwashing, whereas a small minority, around 2%, relied solely on water. Eight-six(86%)of the female participants utilized a cloth, soap, and water to cleanse their genitalia, whereas 14% relied solely on a cloth and water. In addition, almost all (95%) of these girls used disposable sanitary pads to efficiently manage their menstrual periods. Because of poverty, they faced numerous challenges in acquiring these items (89%). Only 92% of the female participants showed a preference for disposable sanitary pads, despite having received information about various menstrual management options. Due to the issue of period poverty, 85% of people have stated that the government and the Ministry of education should offer complimentary sanitary products to meet their needs. In the end, 97% of participants indicated that the most efficient approach for disposing of menstrual waste was to dispose of it in pit latrines. However, only 10%hadtheopportunity to use such latrines, and a substantial 83% of those individuals were unaware of the adverse repercussions associated with the inappropriate disposal of menstrual waste. Following the study findings, the research recommends that the State Department of Basic Education in the MOE should include menstrual hygiene management into the National School Health strategy as part of their education strategy, with the goal of enhancing personal hygiene behaviors among girls. The Murang'a county government and school administration should collaborate to offer support in supplying sanitary items and undergarments to adolescent females. Additionally, schools should provide materials for the proper disposal of menstrual waste and explore alternate alternatives to minimize waste.

Faecal Waste Management Practices and Performance of Sanitation Service Chain in Marsabit Town, Marsabit County, Kenya

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Faecal Waste Management Practices and Performance of Sanitation Service Chain in Marsabit Town, Marsabit County, Kenya Ali, Mohamed Safe faecal waste management can reduce transmission routes where pathogens in faecal particles pass from one person to the mouth of another. Globally, 780 million people lackaccess to safe water and approximately 2.5 billion people in the developing world have limited access to adequate sanitation, a situation that has led to increased mortality due to sanitation-related illnesses. This research sought to explore the faecal waste management practices among households across sanitation service chain in Marsabit town, Marsabit County, Kenya. Descriptive cross-sectional study design adopting mixed method was used and the study targeted a sample size of 612 households sampled from nine (9)Zones. Data collection was done through observations and interviews. The SPSS tools were used for data analysis and generating tables. About 64.9%of Marsabit county population practices open defecation. Toilet position during defecation differed from person to person and was culture-dependent. Out of 612 respondents approximately81%(n=495) respondents reported squatting during defecation as a common preferred toilet use. Sitting position was at 19% (n=117). Majority of the community were washersat 77.6% (n=475) and wipers at 22.4% (n=137). Approximately 70%(n=429) responded that they abandon their latrine once they are full. Infant mortality has been observed in Marsabit county with increased mortality especially in children under five years of age, occurring daily. This could be attributed to lack of adequate sanitation leading to open defecation, poor hygiene as well as the low water table in the area

Effect of Pit latrines on Enteric-Pathogen and Physicochemical Contamination of Ground Water in Tigania West Sub-County, Meru County, Kenya

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Effect of Pit latrines on Enteric-Pathogen and Physicochemical Contamination of Ground Water in Tigania West Sub-County, Meru County, Kenya Stephen, Evans Monyancha Groundwater contamination is a global concern, posing risks to public health and ecosystems. In Kenya, particularly in rural areas like Tigania West Sub County, Meru County, groundwater contamination is a pressing issue due to use of pit latrines. The main objective of the study was to investigate the impact of pit latrines on enteric pathogen and physicochemical contamination of groundwater in Tigania West Sub County, Meru County, Kenya. Data was collected using a questionnaires and laboratory analysis. The sample size for this research was 96 households, distributed among all the wards. Data was analysed using SPSS version 27. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages provided an overview of the data. Inferential statistics such as Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and regression analysis were used to determine significant differences between groups and to identify relationships between variables. The study revealed significant associations between pit latrine proximity to groundwater sources and waterborne disease prevalence. The correlation coefficient (r=0.456) indicates a moderate positive relationship between the proximity of pit latrines and waterborne infections. Enteric pathogens (total coliforms, E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis and Helminths.) were detected in groundwater samples, indicating contamination. The correlation coefficient (r = 0.076) also indicated a very weak positive relationship between high enteric pathogen prevalence and waterborne infections. Physicochemical analysis revealed conformities with WHO guidelines. For example, in Mbeu ward, 93.33% of groundwater samples had optimal pH levels of 6.5-8.5. The BOD analysis indicated varying levels of organic pollution across different wards, with Athwana Ward showing the highest levels of contamination, followed by Kianjai and Nkomo Wards. Akithi and Mbeu Wards exhibited moderate levels of organic pollution. These findings highlighted the need for targeted interventions to reduce organic pollution in groundwater sources across the different wards. The study concluded that considerable proportion of pit latrines were found to be located in close proximity to water sources, below 30m, raising concerns about potential fecal contamination of groundwater. The study recommended construction and maintenance of pit latrines to ensure they are situated at safe distances from groundwater sources. The detection of pathogens such as total coliforms, E. coli, Salmonella, and Shigella indicates potential health risks associated with groundwater consumption, emphasizing the importance of regular water quality monitoring and treatment to ensure safe drinking water provision. The study recommended the construction and maintenance of pit latrines to ensure they are situated at safe distances from groundwater sources. Implement regulations and guidelines for the siting and construction of pit latrines to minimise the risk of fecal contamination of groundwater. Increased awareness and education among local communities on the importance of safe water practices, including proper sanitation and hygiene measures. Encourage the use of improved sanitation facilities and the adoption of water treatment methods to reduce the risk of waterborne diseases

Assessment of Microbial Quality And Physicochemical Parameters of Shallow Well Water in Moiben Sub-County, Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Assessment of Microbial Quality And Physicochemical Parameters of Shallow Well Water in Moiben Sub-County, Uasin Gishu County, Kenya Wang’ondu, Leah Wangari Informal settlements in urban areas of sub-Saharan Africa often rely heavily on shallow dug wells for their water supply. However, these wells are susceptible to contamination from various sources due to a lack of protection. This study aimed to assess the microbial quality and physicochemical parameters of shallow wells in Moiben Sub-County, Uasin Gishu County. Specifically, the study sought to: (i) determine the level of microbial contamination in shallow wells, (ii) analyze the physicochemical parameters of the water, and (iii) establish the relationship between shallow well water contamination and the distance of the wells from nearby pit latrines. The study population was 62 shallow wells in five zones of the sub-county. Stratified sampling technique was utilized in proportionally sampling wells for examination. Laboratory analysis was conducted to measure microbial indicators like fecal coliforms, E. coli, and total coliforms, and physicochemical parameters like pH, TDS, electrical conductivity, turbidity, nitrates, nitrites, and ammonia. Observational method was utilized to measure the distance of pit latrines from wells. Data was analyzed inferentially through ANOVA, while microbial contamination was quantified using the Most Probable Number (MPN) technique. Findings indicated that there was a significant correlation between distance from the well and microbial contamination (p < 0.001), and 72.8% of microbial contamination was accounted for by distance. Likewise, 98.7% of physicochemical parameter contamination was accounted for by distance. The results point out that shallow wells closer to latrines have greater levels of contamination, above WHO's safe drinking water guidelines. The research emphasizes maintaining a minimum distance of 50 meters between pit latrines and groundwater sources to avert fecal contamination. The final beneficiaries of these results are policymakers, members of the community, and local health administrators, who can use the data to improve public health, sanitation facilities, and water quality in the region