Evaluation of Water Sanitation and Hygiene Practices in Densely Populated Urban Slums in a Northeastern State Nigeria.

Enenche Francis Ejeh; Yusuf Madaki Lekko; Samuel Hassan; Juliana James Ndahi; Fatima Adamu Lawan; Abdulrahman Mohammed; Stephen Bitrus Balami

doi:10.5455/JPHCM.20251201093314

Abstract
Background and Aim: Densely populated urban slums are often characterized by overcrowding, inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to basic services.
Methods: We employed a descriptive survey to investigate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices in urban slums of Maiduguri,Nigeria. A questionnaire was developed to collect data from 225 participants residing in densely populated urban slums in Maiduguri. The data generated were analyzed descriptively using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS version 27). Chi-square was used to determine the difference among the independent variables. A p-value>0.05 was considered significant.
Results: The study analyzed water accessibility, hygiene behavior, and the availability of sanitation facilities across demographic variables. Males and females showed no significant differences in water access, hygiene, or sanitation facilities (p > 0.05). Age significantly influenced water access (p = 0.024) but not hygiene or sanitation. Education significantly impacted water access (p = 0.006), though not hygiene or sanitation. Occupation and survey mode showed no significant differences in any of the three aspects. Participants aged 25-34 and those with tertiary education had better access to water, while hygiene behavior and sanitation facility availability did not vary significantly across demographics.
Conclusion: The study shows vulnerable groups, particularly women and less educated individuals, face the greatest barriers, while overall hygiene knowledge remains high. The findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions to improve WASH conditions.

Key words: Hand washing; Knowledge and Practices; Maiduguri; Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH); Questionnaire.