Water, sanitation, and hygiene conditions in 186 healthcare facilities of the Catholic Church

ABSTRACT United Nations reports have described the alarming situation of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) conditions in healthcare facilities (HCFs) in low- and middle-income countries. This article presents the findings of a survey conducted in 186 HCFs belonging to the Catholic Church mainly situated in low-income areas. This study sought to determine whether there were gaps in WASH services in a group of Catholic HCFs and to ascertain the distribution of these gaps between and within facilities. Data were collected via interview and self-assessment, using a survey based on WHO/UNICEF global monitoring indicators for WASH in HCFs, including water, sanitation, hand hygiene, environmental cleaning, and waste management. All 186 HCFs were deficient in at least one WASH service indicator, and 35% of the HCFs did not meet any of the five indicators. Moreover, this research suggests that having a maintenance plan duly implemented and including WASH in budgeting are good predictors of above average WASH conditions. Future research is needed to comprehensively determine the status of WASH in Catholic HCFs, as well as to understand how best to improve WASH in non-governmental HCFs.