A Geospatial Analysis of Inter-district Study on the Sanitation Facilities in Bihar, India

Having access to proper sanitation facilities is viewed as a basic human right and is essential for promoting good health. Inadequate and unhygienic sanitation practices often lead to serious public health challenges and hinder socio-economic progress in any nation. Therefore, enhancing sanitation is a key focus of public health initiatives aimed at decreasing the spread of infectious diseases and ensuring overall well-being. The cultural norm of intermittently polluting the environment with human waste has become a part of the behaviour of certain communities, especially in rural India. Regrettably, this situation disproportionately impacts women and girls, affecting their physical and mental health. This research paper aims to analyze the accessibility of enhanced sanitation amenities in 38 districts of Bihar during two distinct time frames, using data from the NFHS-4 (2015-16) and NFHS-5 (2019-21). The results show that although the proportion of people living in households with access to improved sanitation facilities in Bihar has risen to 49.4% in NFHS-5, this figure is significantly lower than the national average of 70.2%. Additionally, NFHS-5 reveals that seven districts have even poorer access rates, falling below 40%, with figures ranging from 32.2% to 38.2%. Furthermore, twelve districts exhibit a moderate access rate between 40 and 50%, with percentages varying from 45.5 to 48.8. In contrast, nineteen districts possess a better access rate of over 50%, with values ranging from 50.7 to 69%. These underscore the critical need for intervention by government entities and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to increase awareness about the significance of using latrines and embracing hygienic sanitation habits. Furthermore, adequate resources must be allocated for the construction and upkeep of toilets to address the detrimental practice of open defecation and ensure that everyone has equal access to proper sanitation. This is essential for fostering a disease-free environment and allowing individuals to live healthy, high-quality lives, ultimately resulting in a higher participation rate in the workforce.