Report on knowledge, attitude and practice study relating to water, sanitation and control of diarrhoeal diseases in Eritrea

This study, designed to establish the knowledge, attitudes and practices relating to water, sanitation and control of diarrhoeal diseases, focuses on all rural and urban ethnic groups living in Eritrea. Methods of data collection include the use of Rapid Assessment Procedures, the study of relevant documents, and interviews with government and NGO personnel and community members. Four purposes are fulfilled in this assessment; namely, to identify the behavioural patterns relating to water, sanitation and diarrhoeal diseases; to investigate the causal factors related to the three areas mentioned; to investigate institutional and other factors affecting success or failure of water and sanitation related initiatives; and lastly, to provide recommendations designed to improve operations, delivery and effectiveness in the country. The study methodology and process as well as background information on Eritrea including political history, environment and health status, and a geographic and demographic (with tables) analysis are presented in Chapters 1 and 2. In Chapter 3, a general literature review on the topics of diarrhoeal diseases, environmental sanitation, hygiene and water is followed by a study of the development programmes in these fields in Eritrea. Chapter 4 details the incidence of diarrhoea across the variables of interest, while Chapter 5 presents an analysis of the information on knowledge, attitudes and practices on the recognition and control of diarrhoeal diseases among the country's ethnic groups. Challenges such as socio-economic factors, institutional capacities, community involvement, inter-sectoral collaboration and lack of policy and strategy guidelines are discussed in Chapter 6, while Chapter 7 makes policy, programme and operational recommendations. References and annexes complete the study.