Assessment of hygiene and sanitation practices in an informal settlement dwelling: A Case study of Kitwe City, Zambia

Abstract

Access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene services remains a major public health challenge in settlements across Sub-Saharan Africa. This study assessed the hygiene and sanitation practices of households in Kitwe City, Zambia. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between October and December 2024, involving 215 randomly selected households. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire focusing on handwashing behavior, water treatment, water storage and sanitation facilities. The findings revealed that only 13.5% of respondents reported using soap for handwashing, and 59% of households consumed water without any form of treatment. Additionally, 38.6% of households stored water in uncovered containers, increasing the risk of microbial contamination. Sanitation facilities were predominantly unimproved, with 92% of households relying on pit latrines. These results highlight critical gaps in WASH practices, emphasizing the need for community level interventions to promote safe hygiene behaviors and improve sanitation infrastructure in low-income urban settings.