Sanitation and Hand Hygiene Facilities in Primary Schools in Bosnia and Herzegovina Assessed by Pupils Using Who Indicators

Abstract

Numerous studies have demonstrated that students attending schools with adequate sanitary and hygienic conditions achieve better academic performance, experience lower rates of illness, and consequently have reduced absenteeism. This study aimed to assess students’ perceptions of sanitation and hand hygiene facilities in schools using World Health Organization (WHO) indicators. The research was conducted as a cross-sectional epidemiological study from September 2019 to March 2020 in the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. A total of 2,508 students, aged 11 to 15 years, participated in the study.The survey results indicated that 48.6% of students were dissatisfied with school toilets, while 30.1% reported dissatisfaction with handwashing facilities. Additionally, 83.2% of students expressed dissatisfaction with the availability of toilet paper, and 72.4% were dissatisfied with the supply of soap. Consequently, 66.8% of students reported avoiding school toilets on a daily basis. Furthermore, approximately half of the students reported receiving education on proper hygiene practices. Ensuring access to safe water, adequate sanitation, and comprehensive hygiene education is essential for reducing morbidity and mortality related to unsafe water and poor sanitation. Such improvements contribute to better overall health, reduced poverty, and enhanced socio-economic development.