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PM highlighted a recent research published in Nature magazine, which shows that the post-SBM period in India exhibited accelerated reductions in infant and child mortality.
- The research was based on quasi-experimental study to investigate the association between SBM and infant (IMR) and under five mortality rates (U5MR) in India.
- It added that implementation of transformative sanitation programmes can deliver population health benefits in low and middle-income countries.
How is Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) related to key Health And Social Outcomes?
- Maternal and Newborn health: The research shows that districts with > 30% toilets constructed under SBM corresponds with 5.3 lower IMR and 6.8 lower U5MR.
- Also, higher SBM coverage also co-occured with higher utilization of health and nutrition programs, including ANC and institutional deliveries.
- Diseases: The WHO reported 300,000 fewer diarrheal deaths in 2019 compared to 2014, directly attributable to improved sanitation.
- 58% higher cases of wasting among children in non-Open Defecation Free areas (The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation).
- Student enrolment: Poor WASH facilities act as a barrier to student attendance and enrolment, specially girls.
- Violence against women: With better access to sanitation facilities, 93% of women reported feeling safer at home (UNICEF ).
Why has SBM been successful in improving health and social parameters?The success of SBM lies in its new approach of combining toilet construction with community engagement and substantial investments in IEC (Information, Education and Communication) to bring behavioural change.
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