Access to and perceptions towards water,sanitation and hygiene: a case of HIV/AIDS affected and non-affected households in rural Uganda

Aim

To explore the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) access and perceptions among households with people living with HIV/AIDS (affected households) as compared to households without people living with HIV/AIDS (non-affected households).

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study that was conducted in the rural districts of Mpigi and Gomba. The study used a sample of 450 respondents with 222 from HIV/AIDS affected and 228 from HIV/AIDS non-affected households.

Results

Majority of respondents had improved water sources although most of these sources were beyond 2 km from households. Respondents from HIV/AIDS-affected households were four times more likely to have ever used a chemical water disinfectant locally known as “water guard”. Additionally, affected households were twice more likely to mention having clean containers for storing drinking water and twice more likely to report boiling water for drinking. No significant differences in presence of latrines for affected and non-affected households were reported. Households with a perception that fetching water takes a lot of time were more likely to buy water from vendors.

Conclusions

Access to improved water sources in short distances with a round trip water collection time of 30 min as recommended by WHO/UNICEF is still a challenge in this region. Good water practices were reported more in HIV/AIDS-affected households. A perception that fetching water takes a lot of time is significantly associated with buying water from vendors. Sleeping in own house is significantly associated with household presence of latrines.