A Study to Assess the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices on Water and Sanitation Hygiene Among Household Members Living in Virar

Arya S Asokan; Nagalakshmi Yeruva; Meenakshi Manocha; AS Saritha; Monika Sharma

A Study to Assess the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices on Water and Sanitation Hygiene Among Household Members Living in Virar

Author(s)	Maj Arya S Asokan, Maj Nagalakshmi Yeruva, Prof.Lt Col Meenakshi Manocha, Col AS Saritha, Maj Monika Sharma
Country	India
Abstract	Introduction This study explores the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) related to water and sanitation hygiene among households in Virar, a rapidly urbanizing suburb of Mumbai. With increasing population density and infrastructural challenges, understanding household-level hygiene behaviours is crucial for designing effective public health interventions. Findings highlight gaps between awareness and practice, emphasizing the need for community-based education and improved sanitation infrastructure. Access to safe water and sanitation is a cornerstone of public health. In India, despite national programs like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, many communities continue to face challenges in adopting hygienic practices. Previous studies in rural India have shown that while awareness of hygiene is relatively high, actual practices often lag due to cultural habits, resource constraints, or infrastructural limitations. Virar, with its mix of urban and peri-urban households, provides a unique setting to assess these dynamics. Background In India, a Nation with a population of 1.4 billion, significant challenges related to water and sanitation persist. Approximately 35 million people lack access to safe water, and an alarming 678 million individuals face the absence of safe toilet facilities. These challenges are exacerbated by extreme water stress, contamination of surface water, and the lack of piped water supply. The adverse effects of climate change, such as droughts and rising sea levels, further jeopardize families) access to safe water and sanitation for families The repercussions of insufficient water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services extend to health facilities, contributing to a high Neonatal Mortality Rate of 24 deaths per 1000 live births. Sepsis primarily transmitted in health facilities, accounts for 15% of Neonatal Mortality and 11% of Maternal Deaths. The Percentage of Indians with access to improved water sources has risen significantly from 72% in 1990 to 88% in 2008, reaching 97.7% in 2020. The Government of India significant strides achieving household toilets for over 99% of the population between 2014 to 2020, totalling 110 million toilets built since 2014. Objectives • Assess household knowledge regarding safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene. • Evaluate attitudes towards hygiene practices and their perceived importance. • Document practices related to water storage, handwashing, waste disposal, and toilet use. • Identify gaps between knowledge and practice to inform policy and interventions. Methodology • Study design: Cross-sectional survey. • Sample size: 200 households selected across different wards of Virar. • Data collection: Structured questionnaires and observational checklists. • Variables studied: o Knowledge of water purification methods o Attitudes toward open defecation vs. toilet use o Practices of handwashing with soap o Household waste disposal methods Results Knowledge The analysis of knowledge indicated that the majority of participants, a total of 186, identified the Mahanagar Palika as their primary source of drinking water, whereas 12 relied on bore wells and only 2 obtained water from reservoirs, reflecting a strong dependence on municipal water supply. With respect to water availability, 89 participants reported that water was available only sometimes, 62 stated that it was consistently available, 42 indicated that it was available most of the time, and 7 reported that water supply was rarely sufficient. Knowledge regarding the boiling point of water also showed considerable variation: 128 participants correctly stated that water boils at 100°C, while others provided incorrect responses such as 100°F by 33 participants, 97°F by 18 participants, and 100°F by 21 participants. The findings further revealed that 161 participants stored boiled water in open containers, whereas 38 used closed containers, indicating gaps in safe water-storage practices. When asked about reasons for avoiding long-term water storage, 94 participants believed that stagnant water becomes a breeding ground for microorganisms, 41 felt that prolonged storage changes the taste, 13 stated that water becomes unfit for consumption over time, and 53 considered all listed reasons to be valid. Awareness of the health effects of contaminated water was also evident, with 141 participants identifying diarrhea as the most common outcome, while 25 associated contamination with chikungunya, 17 with skin rashes, and 15 with chickenpox. In terms of purification practices, 153 participants reported boiling water to make it potable, whereas 20 added bleach, 16 allowed the water to stand and settle, and 13 strained it through cloth. Sanitation-related data showed that 110 participants used flush-to-pipe sewage systems, 47 used dry pit latrines, 25 depended on composting toilets, and 16 had no access to sanitation facilities. Regarding toilet location, 69 participants used toilets within their own dwelling, 31 used those located in their own yard or plot, 66 accessed toilets situated elsewhere, and 34 reported using facilities located at considerable distance from their home. Knowledge of handwashing procedures also varied, with 62 participants believing that proper handwashing consists of 7 steps, 58 stating 5 steps, 54 indicating 4 steps, and 26 believing 8 steps are required for adequate hygiene. Attitude The findings showed that 55% of the participants agreed that water obtained from any source was safe for drinking and domestic use, whereas 42% did not agree with this statement, and 3% were uncertain. When asked whether water free from visible particles was safe for consumption, 100 participants disagreed with the idea that clear-looking water is safe to drink, while 90 agreed and 10 reported having no knowledge regarding this. The majority, a total of 187 participants, agreed that dirty water can cause diseases, whereas 11 disagreed and 2 had no idea about its health effects. With regard to sanitation practices, 99 participants agreed to sharing latrines with other members of the community, while 83 disagreed and 17 were unsure. The study further revealed that 152 participants supported the use of water filters for purification, whereas 23 did not agree with their use, and 25 expressed no opinion. A substantial proportion, 172 participants, agreed that standing water could become a breeding site for mosquitoes and rodents, while 23 disagreed and 7 were uncertain. Additionally, 145 participants acknowledged the presence of water-related problems in their neighbourhood, whereas 40 disagreed and 14 had no idea about issues related to waste disposal. Furthermore, 150 participants believed that water supplied through pipelines was safe for drinking, while 37 did not consider it safe and 13 had no opinion. In terms of hygiene practices, 152 participants agreed that water storage containers should be cleaned daily, whereas 27 disagreed and 21 reported having no knowledge of proper container maintenance. Finally, the majority of participants, totalling 187, agreed that boiling water helps eliminate germs, while 9 disagreed with this belief and 3 stated that they had no idea regarding the effectiveness of boiling for water purification. Practices Out of the 200 families surveyed in Pushpanagar Dongri, 13% demonstrated good practices in maintaining water sanitation, while 67% exhibited fair practices, and 2% showed poor practices related to water sanitation management. Conclusion Access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation is a critical determinant of public health, particularly in urban communities where reliance on municipal water systems is high. The present study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding water safety and sanitation among 200 families in Pushpanagar Dongri, revealing both strengths and areas requiring improvement. The findings indicated that the majority of participants, 186, relied on Mahanagar Palika as their primary source of drinking water, while 12 used bore wells and only 2 obtained water from reservoirs, demonstrating strong dependence on municipal supply. Water availability varied across households, with 89 participants reporting occasional supply, 62 having consistent availability, 42 indicating availability most of the time, and 7 reporting that water was rarely sufficient. Knowledge regarding water purification was mixed: 128 participants correctly identified the boiling point of water as 100°C, while others provided incorrect responses such as 100°F by 33 participants, 97°F by 18 participants, and 100°F by 21 participants. Storage practices revealed potential health risks, as 161 participants stored boiled water in open containers compared to 38 who used closed containers. Regarding reasons for avoiding long-term storage, 94 participants cited microbial growth, 41 believed prolonged storage affected taste, 13 considered water unfit for consumption, and 53 agreed with all listed reasons. Awareness of the health consequences of contaminated water was notable, with 141 participants identifying diarrhea as the most common outcome, while others associated contamination with chikungunya by 25 participants, skin rashes by 17, or chickenpox by 15. Boiling was the predominant purification method for 153 participants, followed by bleach addition by 20, allowing water to settle by 16, and cloth filtration by 13. Sanitation facilities and practices demonstrated considerable variation. A total of 110 participants used flush-to-pipe systems, 47 used dry pit latrines, 25 depended on composting toilets, and 16 had no access to sanitation facilities. Toilet location was also diverse: 69 participants used toilets within their dwellings, 31 in their yard or plot, 66 accessed toilets elsewhere, and 34 traveled a considerable distance. Knowledge of handwashing steps varied, with 62 participants identifying the recommended seven steps, 58 reporting five steps, 54 indicating four steps, and 26 believing eight steps were necessary. Attitudinal assessment revealed that 55 percent of participants believed water from any source is safe for consumption, while 42 percent disagreed and 3 percent were uncertain. When asked whether water free of visible particles is safe, 100 participants disagreed, 90 agreed, and 10 were unsure. A strong majority of 187 participants acknowledged that dirty water causes disease. Sharing latrines was acceptable to 99 participants, whereas 83 disagreed and 17 were unsure. Support for water filtration was expressed by 152 participants, with 23 dissenting and 25 expressing no opinion. Standing water as a breeding site for mosquitoes and rodents was recognized by 172 participants. Awareness of local water-related problems was evident in 145 participants, while 40 disagreed and 14 were unsure. Furthermore, 150 participants considered piped water safe, while 37 disagreed and 13 were undecided. Regarding hygiene practices, 152 participants agreed that water containers should be cleaned daily, and 187 acknowledged boiling as an effective purification method. Despite a reasonably high level of knowledge and positive attitudes, practical implementation was limited. Only 13 percent of families exhibited good water-sanitation practices, 67 percent demonstrated fair practices, and 2 percent showed poor practices. This gap highlights the critical distinction between awareness and actual behavior and underscores the need for interventions to translate knowledge into consistent, safe practices. In conclusion, while participants in Pushpanagar Dongri display substantial awareness of water safety, sanitation, and hygiene, deficiencies in proper storage, purification, and practical application persist. The study emphasizes the importance of community-based educational programs, reinforced hygiene training, and infrastructural improvements to bridge the gap between knowledge, attitude, and practice, thereby mitigating the risk of waterborne diseases and promoting sustainable public health outcomes. Discussion The study reveals a knowledge-practice gap: while most households understand the importance of hygiene, actual practices are inconsistent. Cultural habits, limited infrastructure, and economic constraints contribute to this disparity. Similar findings have been reported in rural Indian settings, where interventions focusing on behaviour change communication have proven effective. Recommendations • Community education programs to reinforce the importance of handwashing and safe water storage. • Infrastructure development to ensure access to toilets and waste disposal systems. • Behavioural change campaigns tailored to local cultural contexts. • Monitoring and evaluation by local health authorities to track improvements in WASH practices. Conclusion Households in Virar demonstrate moderate knowledge of water and sanitation hygiene but face challenges in translating this into consistent practices. Strengthening infrastructure and community-based education can bridge this gap, ultimately reducing the burden of waterborne diseases and improving overall public health.
Keywords	Knowledge,Attitude and Practices
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 4, July-August 2026
Published On	2026-08-05

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A Study to Assess the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices on Water and Sanitation Hygiene Among Household Members Living in Virar

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