Access to drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene practices are critical for human health and well-being. Unfortunately, filthy water and inadequate sanitation facilities continue to pose severe health risks, especially for children. This blog will delve into the relationship between WASH, diarrhoea in children, malnutrition, and simple yet effective ways to save children’s lives.
Diarrhoea is the world’s second-leading cause of death in children under the age of five, accounting for over 9% of all child fatalities in 2019 (UNICEF, December 2022, “Child Health: Diarrhoeal Disease”). Diarrhoeal diseases such as cholera, dysentery, and typhoid are strongly linked to contaminated water intake and inadequate sanitation practices. Pathogens, primarily transmitted through the faecal-oral pathway, can easily contaminate drinking water and cause disease if basic hygiene is not followed. Diarrhoea is defined as passing three or more loose or liquid stools daily, or more frequently than the individual’s typical frequency. Water and electrolytes, such as salt, chloride, potassium, and bicarbonate, are lost during a diarrhoea episode through liquid stools, vomit, sweat, urine, and respiration. When these losses are not restored, a person suffering from diarrhoea becomes dehydrated. Furthermore, diarrhoea is a leading cause of malnutrition (WHO, May 2017, “Fact Sheet: Diarrhoeal Disease”), making the individual more vulnerable to subsequent bouts of diarrhoea and other disorders.
The link between diarrhoea and malnutrition is bidirectional. On the one hand, severe and chronic diarrhoea can result in malnutrition because nutritional absorption is impaired. Malnourished children, on the other hand, are more vulnerable to diarrhoea complications, further deteriorating their nutritional state. The interaction of diarrhoea and hunger generates a vicious cycle that endangers children’s lives.
Simple and low-cost techniques for reducing diarrhoea in children and its severe consequences can have a significant impact. Listed below are a few examples of critical interventions:
Safe WASH Practices: Providing safe drinking water and proper sanitation facilities, as well as promoting basic hygiene practices such as washing hands with soap before making or having a meal or after using the restroom, are crucial to disease prevention. Handwashing with soap alone can reduce the incidence of diarrhoea by at least 40% (UNICEF, December 2022, “Child Health: Diarrhoeal Disease”), as well as respiratory infections. Safe drinking water and proper waste disposal are critical to preventing the spread of diarrheal illnesses among children and adults.
Exclusive Breastfeeding for the first six months of life provides newborns with the nutrition and antibodies they require to fight infections. Breast milk is safe, hygienic, and tailored to the needs of newborns, making them less prone to diarrhoea and respiratory diseases.
Adequate Complementary Feeding: It is crucial to begin introducing healthy and age-appropriate complementary foods alongside continuous nursing at six months of age. A nutritious diet helps children’s growth and development, minimising their risk of malnutrition and related diseases.
Vitamin A Supplementation: High-dose vitamin A supplementation strengthens the immune system and can reduce diarrhoea by 15% (UNICEF, December 2022, “Child Health: Diarrhoeal Disease”). Children aged 6–59 months benefit from two doses of vitamin A per year to maintain their overall health and resilience.
Immunisation: Rotavirus vaccination is crucial in reducing one of the primary causes of child diarrhoea deaths. Rotavirus vaccination significantly decreases children’s risk of severe diarrhoea and associated problems.
We must work towards the goal of ending preventable deaths among newborns and children under the age of five by connecting efforts with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) to reduce child mortality and improve maternal health. As mentioned in SDG Goal 3, Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages, this includes lowering neonatal mortality rates and under-five mortality rates.
Finally, access to safe drinking water, sufficient sanitation facilities and practices, and basic hygiene habits are critical in preventing diarrhoea in children and its severe repercussions. Simple interventions like exclusive breastfeeding, proper complementary feeding, vitamin A supplementation, immunisation, and improved WASH practices have the potential to save countless lives. Governments, organisations, and individuals must prioritise these measures and collaborate to ensure a healthier future for our children. Let’s ensure that every child has the opportunity to grow and thrive in a safe and hygienic environment.
Abhishek Kumar Gupta – Abhishek Kumar Gupta is an alumnus of BHU and TISS. Currently, Abhishek is a WASH-CCES consultant for UNICEF Odisha and is stationed at the Panchayat Raj and Drinking Water Department, Govt. of Odisha. He is passionate about Indology, awakening civilizational consciousness, and the growth journey of the land of Bharat.Sukirti Chandra – Sukirti Chandra is an ambitious individual currently pursuing her Masters of Public Health at Indian Institute of Public Health, Gandhinagar. With a keen interest in Public Health Nutrition, WASH, and Child Health, she is committed to leveraging her knowledge and skills to contribute significantly to the betterment of communities.
Disclaimer: The information in this blog reflects the author’s research, and personal experiences. Youth4Water Plus neither endorses, nor is responsible for the views expressed by the author.
