http://repository.pauwes-cop.net/handle/1/164 2026-05-02T14:47:31Z http://repository.pauwes-cop.net/handle/1/573 Accessing WASH Facilities in Schools to Address the Issue of Stigmatized Menstruating Students in Liberia: Montserrado County as a Case Study Siphambe, Tebogo Vivian In modern Liberian society, there is a perception of a prevailing culture of silence surrounding the topic of menstruation, where it is often viewed as unclean and taboo, particularly in traditional settings. This lack of open dialogue and instruction regarding menstrual cleanliness has left numerous schoolgirls uninformed and ill-prepared to handle their periods adequately. Despite the crucial role that maintaining proper menstrual hygiene plays in safeguarding the health and welfare of females, this matter has not garnered the requisite attention and urgency from national health authorities, including the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Commission of Liberia. To address this gap in knowledge and support, a comprehensive study was undertaken to explore the factors influencing Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) among schoolgirls in Liberia and to propose effective mitigation strategies for enhancing menstrual hygiene practices during their menstruation periods. Employing a mixed-method approach with a cross sectional descriptive design, the research focused on schools’ WASH status and understanding girls' perceptions, behaviors, and competencies related to menstrual hygiene. The study surveyed four schools in Montserrado County, Liberia, comprising two private schools: Joseph Jenkins Roberts United Methodist School and John G. Mills High School) and two public schools, William V.S. Tubman and G.W. Gibson High School, with a sample size of 400 students from the senior high division (10th – 12th grade) with the corresponding ages of 15-21 years defined by the Ministry of Education. Findings from the research highlighted key challenges faced by schoolgirls, including a lack of educational resources on MHM, limited knowledge and experience of menstruation, and inadequate sanitation facilities on school premises, all of which significantly impact their ability to manage menstrual hygiene effectively. Notably, the study revealed that many schools in Liberia have substandard sanitation facilities, leading to female students missing school days during their menstruation periods. The observation of shared unsanitary facilities for both girls and boys further underscored the urgent need for improved infrastructure and hygiene practices in educational settings. In light of these findings, the WASH in Schools (WinS) unit of the Ministry of Education of Liberia must take proactive measures to address these challenges. This includes conducting regular inspections of schools' WASH facilities, integrating comprehensive menstrual hygiene management into the education curriculum across Liberian schools, and providing girls with the necessary support, information, and safe spaces to practice proper menstrual hygiene. By prioritizing MHM within the education system, Liberia can empower its schoolgirls to manage their menstrual health effectively and ensure their continued participation in education without disruption 2024-04-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.pauwes-cop.net/handle/1/564 DETERMINANTS OF ACCESS TO IMPROVED WATER, SANITATION AND HYGIENE IN UGANDA. CASE STUDY: NAMATALA URBAN INFORMAL SETTLEMENT. OTIM, Sam Kizito Water, sanitation and hygiene facilities play a vital role in promoting sustainable development, improving public health, and enhancing community well-being. In developing countries including Uganda, a rapid urbanization rate has led to most o people migrating to cities in search of the economic (employment), investment and educational opportunities. This has led to rapid increment and development of urban informal settlements which is characterized by poor infrastructure, inadequate access to clean and safe water, poor/dilapidated water sanitation facilities, obsolete poverty, inadequate wastes management, inadequate social amenities and overcrowding. The lack of access to improved water sanitation and hygiene has directly and indirectly impacted most of the urban slum dwellers health, well-being and socio-economic levels. Notably, most of the urban slum dwellers suffer from water-borne diseases such as diarrhea and dysentery, acute respiratory disorders, and skin infections, due to use and contact with contaminated water, poor hygiene practices and facilities, limited access to basic WASH services, and inadequate housing. Additionally, slum dwellers have very low level of awareness and information about illness and WASH practices, which has led to poor health and dangerous protective behaviour. Therefore, this research assessed the current WASH conditions in Namatala urban slum, determining WASH accessibility and reliability rates, possible barriers to accessing improved WASH and proposed policy options to be implemented in Namatala urban slum in order to improve WASH in the area. Using random sampling method, a total of 160 households from the 24,123 were selected and interviewed during the study. Also, from purposive sampling, 34 key informants participated in the interviews and focused group discussions. Data was collected using structured household questionnaires, focused group discussions and field investigations, and was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). From the results, (72% [115/160]) households have access to a sufficient quantity of water. (54% [87/160]) of the households use pipe water system while (33% [53/160]), (4% [6/160]), (4% [6/160]) and (5% [8/160]) use borehole, open well (springs and hand dug wells), stream (river Namatala) and water vendors as drinking water sources respectively. (43% [49/115]) households have unreliable water supply due to mechanical problems/failures experienced in the form of pump failures, pipe repairs and replacements a system bursts/leakages are the main factors households identified. In regards to sanitation, there were toilet facilities found in Namatala urban slum, 59 private (unshared toilet facilities) and 24 shared toilet facilities. (54% [87/160]) households have access a VIP/pit latrine with slab while (19% [34/160]) households have a pit latrine without a slab/open pit. The survey also shows that very few households have improved sanitation facility. Notably, only (14% [22/160]) households have a flush/pour flush pit latrine while (11% [18/160]) households had flush to septic tank. Only (1% [2/160]) flush to the sewer/drainage channel their fecal matter. Only (46% [38/83]) of the toilet facilities had hand washing facilities. Tipping taps made from jerrycans were the common had washing facilities installed aside of the toilet facilities. Hand washing behaviour recorded was low as only (58% [92/160]) households wash hands after visiting the toilet facility. The area also lacked a conventional sewer system for wastewater hence residents used open channels, and open gullies as sewer lines. Using household questionnaires and focused group discussions, the study identified inadequate improved WASH facilities, limited access to safe drinking water supply, occurrence of climate change events, limited funding in the WASH sector, inadequate knowledge on the use and management of healthy WASH practices, and ineffective local community involvement in the planning and implementation as the main possible barriers hindering access to improved WASH services/facilities. These were attributed to limited space/fragmented land ownership low economic levels, and WASH funding gap, that have not favored the development of WASH in Namatala urban slum. To avert this, there is a need to upgrade and expand the current WASH infrastructure/ program in the area, Mbale City council authority to increase their lobbying for WASH funding through Grants and Loans, inclusive planning and implementation of the WASH facilities between the community and the responsible stakeholders Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) programs, development and implementation of National and District WASH Investment Plans, policies and Acts for informal settlements, and enhancing awareness on basic WASH practices among the slum dwellers, and implementing integrated waste management in Namatala urban slum. 2024-04-23T00:00:00Z http://repository.pauwes-cop.net/handle/1/563 POTABLE WATER ACCESSIBILITY AND ITS IMPLICATIONS ON THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC WELL BEING OF THE PEOPLE OF BUSHROD ISLAND, LIBERIA TOGBA, Oscar Weah Clean drinking water and sanitation are essential for well-being. There are international agreements that indicate that all people have the right to obtain water in quantities and of a quality that satisfies their fundamental needs, regardless of their social and economic circumstances or developmental stage. Coupled with the management and infrastructure challenges, population growth and urbanization have exacerbated the water accessibility issue in Liberia, despite the country’s water resources potential. An exploratory sequential mixed method (qualitative and quantitative) study design, was employed to collect and analyze data of this study. Through purposeful sampling, participants (water service providers or experts) with a range of perspectives and experiences regarding the problems with Bushrod Island's (Liberia) water supply were selected and interviewed. To guarantee a representative sample of residents from various demographic and socioeconomic groups in Bushrod Island, random sampling was employed. A sample size of 400 was determined for the quantitative survey through the use of the Taro Yamane Formula. For the aspect of the qualitative data, 10 water service providers from several institutions in the water sector of Liberia were selected through purposeful sampling (principle of saturation). These water service providers (experts) were the focus of the in-depth interviews. To get quantitative information on the primary obstacles to water availability in Bushrod Island, a structured survey was conducted. Thematic analysis was used to find repeating patterns and themes in the qualitative data. Descriptive statistics was employed to measure the relationship between variables and find significant statistical data, based on the respondents’ (community dwellers) relations and perceptions about access to clean and reliable drinking water and its socio-economic impacts in the study area. Several aspects associated with Bushrod Island’s potable water supply challenges, which include damaged and outdated water infrastructure, electricity for water transmission and distribution, chemicals procurement, water theft/ pipes leakages, vehicles breakdown/inadequacy, fuel availability, and customers' refusal to pay water bills, were identified. The ‘high cost of water’, is one of the impacts of inadequate access to potable water that was indicated by both participants of the study’s interview and survey phases. It is recommended that the provision of adequate water sources (supply) can help mitigate the outbreak or spread of cholera disease that affected 4 households of the study (6 months before the study) and improve health and well-being in Bushrod Island. 2024-04-23T00:00:00Z http://repository.pauwes-cop.net/handle/1/498 Economic Analysis of Treated Wastewater Reuse in Agriculture: Algeria study case ABDELLAOUI, Meriem El Batoul Water scarcity is a pressing issue in Algeria, making wastewater reuse an essential alternative for sustaining agricultural production. This study conducts a cost analysis of wastewater reuse in Algerian agriculture, focusing on the economic viability and farmers' perspectives regarding the shift from free access to a subsidized price of 2.5 DZD per cubic meter. The research examines the cost-effectiveness of treated wastewater compared to conventional irrigation sources, highlighting the role of government subsidies in ensuring affordability. A case study was carried out on a wastewater treatment plant with a capacity of 30,000 m³/day, serving a total irrigated area of 745 hectares. Through a survey, farmers' responses were analyzed to assess their satisfaction and willingness to pay. Results indicate that 43% of farmers perceive the cost as inefficient, while 20% express dissatisfaction with pricing. Despite concerns, farmers emphasize the importance of water availability over its price. The findings contribute to policy discussions on water resource management, emphasizing the need for balanced economic strategies that ensure long-term sustainability while addressing farmers' financial constraints. Future research should explore alternative pricing mechanisms and incentive models to enhance wastewater reuse adoption in agriculture. In conclusion, the analysis of treated wastewater pricing and its impact on Algeria’s agricultural sector reveals a complex yet critical issue that requires balanced and sustainable solutions. The current subsidy system, while beneficial in supporting farmers, places a significant financial burden on the government, amounting to approximately 1.34 billion DZD annually. To ensure the long-term sustainability of wastewater reuse in agriculture, it is crucial to introduce gradual pricing adjustments, tiered pricing models, and targeted subsidy reductions for high-consumption users. Incentivizing water-efficient technologies, fostering private sector involvement, and promoting public awareness about the true cost of treated wastewater are essential strategies for reducing dependency on subsidies and encouraging more efficient use of water resources. Moreover, exploring alternative funding sources and implementing comprehensive monitoring systems will help ensure that the program remains financially viable while continuing to support agricultural productivity. Ultimately, striking a balance between maintaining fair access to treated wastewater and reducing the subsidy burden on the government will be key to ensuring the sustainable growth of Algeria’s agricultural sector. Through these policy measures, it is possible to achieve a more equitable, efficient, and financially sustainable system for wastewater reuse in agriculture, benefiting both farmers and the broader economy 2025-04-30T00:00:00Z