WASH Coverage and Awareness of Menstrual Hygiene Management Among Schoolchildren in Rural Sri Lanka

This study aims to determine the extent to which water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) coverage is established in rural schools, and the barriers to accessing WASH services in the Dehiovita educational zone of the Kegalle District in Sri Lanka. Random sampling was used to collect data from 500 students in grades 7–13 from 15 schools using a semi-structured questionnaire. The analysis shows that 43% of children use unsafe plastic bottles, 62% reported broken taps as a major barrier to safe access to water, and 54% reported receiving inadequately treated water. The majority of respondents (88%) mentioned that they do not use soap after using the toilet. In terms of menstrual hygiene management, 26% of female students do not use the sanitation facilities due to issues such as poor quality or safety concerns in the sanitary services provided, and this may prevent the achievement of gender justice in WASH coverage. These findings highlight the urgent need to raise awareness in schools about safe water consumption, sanitation, hygiene practices and spread of water-borne diseases.