| dc.description.abstract | Introduction:
Water is a vital limited resource for human existence and the availability of adequate safe water connects strongly with sustainable development concept. Water plays a major role in enhancing economic growth, reducing poverty, attaining food security, and protecting ecosystems. Moreover, water is a critical component of public health, and failure to supply safe water will place a heavy health threat.
Objective of the study:
To assess the factors affecting sustainable access to safe water in Banda sub-county, Namayingo District.
Methodology:
The study employed a cross sectional study involving a sample of 280 households in Banda sub County that was selected using systematic random method of sampling. Data was collected using a semi structured researcher administered questionnaire and a key informant guide for the key informants (Water User committee members-WUCs) that were purposively selected. Data was analyzed using STATA version 13 where a chi-square test was conducted at bivariate analysis and regression model at multivariate analysis. Variables were significant at 95% level of significance.
Results:
Respondents that were not employed were 0.2 times less likely to have sustainable access to safe water compared to those that were employed (p-0.000); respondents who said water was not affordable were 0.1 times less likely to have sustainable access to safe water (p-0.000). Respondents who were not aware of the presence of water committees were 0. 4 times less likely to have sustainable access to safe water than those who were aware (p-0.001). Respondents who were not aware of the community activities to protect and maintain water sources were 0.3 times less likely to have sustainable access to safe water than those who were aware of the activities. Respondents who never acknowledged having any information on available user fee collections were 0.1 times less likely to have sustainable access to safe water that those who were aware (p-0.000). Respondents who noted that water committees were responsible for protecting and maintaining water sources were 0.3 times less likely to have sustainable access to safe water that those who noted that it was the responsibility of the community members (p-0.022). Respondents that boiled their water for drinking were 1.5 times more likely to have sustainable access to safe water than those put their water under the sun as a method of disinfecting water (p-0.045).
Conclusion and recommendations:
sustainable access to safe water in Banda Sub County is still low (27.1%), it is affected by non-employment, high water fees cost, not being aware of role of water user committees and their activities, not contributing water user fees and not boiling drinking water. It is therefore, important to sensitize the community on the importance of safe water. The government should support the water user committees in ensuring that the water sources are protected and maintained. | en_US |
