Water, sanitation, hygiene and health in the Qabane Valley, Lesotho

This report describes the results of a KAP survey carried out during February and March 1990 in the Qabane Valley, within the administrative district of Mohale's Hoek, in Lesotho. The survey aimed to gather and analyse data which related to both socio-economic conditions in the area and the population's knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding health and hygiene. In the field two basic methodologies were used: a. participant observation (to gather information on more sensitive issues pertaining to water, sanitation, and hygiene practices); b. a questionnaire (to gather socio-economic data and information on the least sensitive water, sanitation and hygiene practices). The report is divided into seven chapters. An introductory chapter is followed by one in which the detailed socio-economic findings of the study are presented. Chapter three provides details of the findings regarding people's attitudes and practices concerning water and disease. Chapter four considers the question of sanitation and hygiene, and chapter five discusses latrines, and conculdes that sanitation related diseases may not be improved by the introduction of latrines. Furthermore, the chapter discusses the role played by dogs and pigs in removing faeces. Chapter six includes an outline of the changes that should be promoted through health education, and chapter seven discusses the channels which might best be employed to convey health education messages.