The Relationship Between Reliability of School Water Service and Pupils Carrying Water from Home to School for Hand Washing Practices
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53819/81018102t3108Abstract
The lack of reliable water services in public primary schools in Kenya, particularly in rural areas like Lurambi sub-County, Kakamega County, significantly hinders students' ability to maintain essential hygiene practices, such as handwashing. Inconsistent water access often forces students to bring water from home, creating an unsustainable burden and impacting hygiene consistency. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the reliability of school water services and pupils' practice of carrying water from home for handwashing. The study was informed by the Socio-ecological Model (SEM), which considers individual behaviours within broader systemic influences. Using a cross-sectional survey design, the study targeted a population of 14,767 students and 12 head teachers, with a sample size of 389 participants. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and key informant interviews, and analysed using descriptive statistics. Findings indicated that schools with reliable water sources experienced a lower need for pupils to carry water from home, whereas unreliable sources led to inconsistent handwashing practices. The study concluded that consistent water services reduce the burden on students and improve hygiene practices. Based on these findings, the study recommended that schools improve their water infrastructure to ensure sustainable access to handwashing facilities.
Keywords: School Water Services, Reliability, Pupils' Practice, Carrying Water from Home, Handwashing
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