An Empirical Study of Sanitation Praxes

Abstract

Abstract newlineSanitation is a vast topic of key priority in India since ancient time. There are newlinedifferent definitions of sanitation and different people carry different perceptions about newlineSanitation. The definition of Sanitation by WHO (2018), that ensures provision of newlineSanitation facilities and services and their sustainable use kept at the core of this study. newlineThis empirical study was undertaken to understand the sanitation praxes from the newlineOsmanabad District of Maharashtra state. newlineA Mixed Method Convergent and Descriptive Design embedded in Pragmatic newlineParadigm has used in the study. Mixed Method Design has helped to understand newlinedifferent aspects of sanitation and to avoid the limitations of using either Quantitative newlineor Qualitative design alone. Four villages from four different Tehasils of Osmanabad newlineDistrict with pro- study norms were selected for the study. Sarpanch or Deputy newlineSarpanch of all four villages, four primary school and Anganwadi teachers, 227 newlinesampled households and five Experts were interviewed to collect Primary data. As newlinemany as48 Male/ Female respondents from all four villages were also covered through newlineFGDs. The Tools like Observations, Transect Walk of Open Defecation Area and newlineSecondary sources were also used. The Data was analysed by using SPSS software. newlineThe Findings of the study shows that, all four villages are covered under Piped newlineDirking Water Supply Schemes. However, only 75% households are covered with newlinethese facilities and hardly 50% households receive drinking water as per norms (55 newlineLPCD). Only 89% households are provided with sanitation facilities and at least one newlineperson from the covered households is still defecating in open. Gender specific newlinesanitation facilities are still lacking at household level and at public institutions. The newlinestatus of WASH in Schools and Anganwadi is not as per the WASH specifications. newlineStudy has contributed in existing knowledge and literature related to sanitation. newlineIt has argued to focus on integration of WASH sector, where gender specific drinking newlinewater and sanitation faculties are to be provided simultaneously. It highlights on role newlineof sanitation in socio-economical development of the rural communities. In brief study newlineindicates that, though study area is declared ODF huge amount of work is needed to be