Lack of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and its effects on nutrition

Summary

One in three people lack access to proper sanitation, with one billion practicing open defecation. This leads to the spread of harmful pathogens, which cause diarrhea and malnutrition, contributing to over 3 million child deaths annually. Open defecation worsens child growth, increases health risks, and creates financial burdens for families. Yet, solutions exist—improving sanitation can reduce infections by one-third, cut disease risk by half, and generate significant economic benefits. Investing in toilets is essential to combating undernutrition and fostering global development, making this an urgent issue to address for the sake of future generations.

Takeaways

• 😀 One in three people lack access to a decent toilet, and one billion practice open defecation.
• 😀 Open defecation has a direct impact on undernutrition, causing millions of child deaths each year.
• 😀 Pathogens in feces, including viruses, bacteria, and worms, contribute to the spread of infectious diseases.
• 😀 These pathogens can be transmitted through improper hand washing, contaminated food, water, and flies.
• 😀 Diarrhea caused by these infections prevents the absorption of essential nutrients, leading to malnutrition.
• 😀 Repeated diarrhea causes changes in the small intestine, making it harder to absorb nutrients over time.
• 😀 Lack of toilets creates a breeding ground for diseases, which negatively affect children's growth and well-being.
• 😀 Open defecation increases the risk of violence against women, causes shame, and imposes financial burdens on families.
• 😀 Diarrhea is responsible for over 600,000 child deaths annually, making it the third leading cause of child mortality.
• 😀 Proper sanitation can reduce diarrheal infections by one-third, and handwashing with soap can cut the risk by half.
• 😀 For every 1 EUR invested in sanitation, there is a net gain of 5 EUR due to improved health and productivity.

Q & A

How many people globally lack access to a decent toilet?

One out of three people does not have access to a decent toilet, which amounts to about one billion people worldwide.

What is open defecation, and how does it contribute to undernutrition?

Open defecation is the practice of defecating outside, without access to proper sanitation facilities. It contributes to undernutrition by spreading infectious diseases that cause diarrhea, which depletes nutrients needed for healthy growth.

What are some of the pathogens found in feces that can spread diseases?

Feces contain pathogens like protozoa, worm larvae, viruses, and bacteria, which can be transmitted to humans through contact with contaminated food, water, or soil.

How do pathogens lead to malnutrition in children?

Pathogens from feces attack the small intestine, causing it to expel water, resulting in diarrhea. This prevents the absorption of essential nutrients, and with repeated episodes, it leads to malnutrition.

What impact does open defecation have on the intestinal wall over time?

Repeated diarrhea from open defecation damages the structure of the intestinal wall, preventing the full absorption of nutrients, which worsens malnutrition.

How does the lack of toilets affect children’s health?

The lack of toilets leads to increased exposure to diseases such as diarrhea, which is one of the leading causes of death in children. This impedes healthy growth and development, contributing to undernutrition.

What are the broader social effects of not having toilets?

The lack of toilets contributes to the spread of diseases, increases assaults on women, creates shame, and has negative financial effects for families, further exacerbating undernutrition.

What is the relationship between sanitation and economic development?

Investing in sanitation has financial benefits. For every one EUR invested in sanitation, there is a net gain of five EUR due to improved health and increased earnings for families.

How can access to toilets reduce the spread of disease?

Proper access to toilets can reduce diarrheal infections by one-third, and washing hands with soap and water can halve the risk of disease transmission.

Why is it unacceptable for children to die from undernutrition due to lack of sanitation?

It is unacceptable because simple, cost-effective solutions exist to improve sanitation, and investing in these solutions can prevent unnecessary deaths and improve the overall development of communities.