Assessment of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Conditions in Selected Markets in Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

People selling and buying in the market environment could be vulnerable to preventable water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) related diseases, but the market has been neglected in WASH-related research and policies, particularly in Nigeria. This study evaluates the water, sanitation and hygiene situation in selected markets in Benin City, Nigeria, using structured questionnaires and analysis of water samples by standard procedures. Data revealed that seventy-seven percent (n = 200) of the respondents had access to potable water with boreholes (83.5%) being the predominant source of water. Thirty-three percent (n = 200) lack access to potable water due to maintenance problems and resort to the use of sachet water. Seventy-nine percent of the participants had functional toilets with forty percent using the flush-to-sewer type, but sixty-six percent of the respondents lack handwashing facilities. Although the marketers do not drink the water from the market borehole, the pH of the water (4.6-5.7) fell below the recommended WHO standard for drinking water. It is therefore pertinent that sanitary enforcement agencies including market managers should create awareness of safe hygienic practices such as treatment of water and overall handwashing among the traders. Maintenance of boreholes and toilet facilities in the markets and timely provision of handwashing facilities such as soap should be the priority of policies that cover the delivery of WASH services in the markets.