ANNOUNCEMENTS
Open defecation is a practice commonly found among the lower income groups like rural regions or urban slums habitants as they do not have underground sewerage system and are also not in a position to afford the construction of a toilet. Proper sanitation is a common good and an inherent right and should not be treated as something over which any individual has control. Lack of access or inadequate access to sanitation and drinking water facility deteriorates the health status of the individual prone to such facilities. The risk of diseases like diarrhoea, cholera, dysentery, typhoid, intestinal worm infection, hepatitis, polio, trachoma are a result of water contamination and open defecation or usage of unsafe facilities available. This study aims to analyse the current situation of sanitation facilities in the slums of Delhi, gather information about people’s beliefs and mindset when it comes to using the sanitation infrastructure and analyse the health status of the people in conjunction with the hygiene related practices adopted by them in relation to sanitation and drinking water. To undertake the analysis, logit regression model is formulated where the health status of an individual is dependent on inputs i.e., sanitation and drinking water. To collect the data primary survey method has been adopted. The primary survey was conducted with the help of structured questionnaire. The study includes different variables under the categories of socio – demographic characteristics, sanitation facility and use, drinking water facility and use and health status. The results or outcomes of this study are deterioration of health status i.e., increase in odds of incidence of diseases like diarrhea in case of unimproved or inadequate sanitation facilities and unsafe or lack of drinking water facilities. Whereas, in case of improved or adequate sanitation facilities and safe or access to drinking water the health status of the slum habitants will be higher i.e., odds of incidence of diseases like diarrhea is much lower as compared to the previous case.
Keywords: Sanitation, toilets, drinking water, slums, health impact, diseases, diarrhea.
