. 73% of Abia State residents consume water contaminated with E. coli (faecal matter).
. 2% of the population still practices open defecation.
. Poorly placed boreholes and lack of handwashing facilities contribute to contamination.
. Only 35% of schools and 30% of healthcare facilities have basic handwashing facilities.
. 167 million Nigerians (83% of the population) lack access to basic handwashing facilities.
. UNICEF emphasizes five critical times for handwashing to prevent diseases.
A recent study by WASHNORM revealed some alarming statistics about water contamination in Abia State, Nigeria. A staggering 73% of residents consume water contaminated with E. coli, also known as faecal matter, while 2% of the population still practices open defecation. This puts people at serious risk of water-borne diseases.
The WASHNORM survey, conducted in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, National Bureau of Statistics, UNICEF, World Bank, WHO, and other development partners, highlights the urgent need for improved handwashing practices and sanitation infrastructure.
According to UNICEF’s WASH Specialist, Rebecca Gabriel, handwashing with soap and running water is crucial in preventing diseases. However, the survey found that only 35% of schools and 30% of healthcare facilities in Nigeria have basic handwashing facilities. This number drops to 8% in public spaces like markets and motor parks.
UNICEF estimates that a whopping 167 million people (83% of Nigeria’s population) lack access to basic handwashing facilities. To address this, UNICEF emphasizes five critical times for handwashing:
• Before preparing meals
• Before and after eating
• Before breastfeeding
• After changing diapers
• After defecating
UNICEF remains committed to promoting hand hygiene through national campaigns and integrating hand hygiene into health, education, and nutrition programs across over 90 countries, in collaboration with WHO .
