Abstract:
Introduction: In Ghana, water, sanitation and hygiene related diseases and environmental hazards have been a cause of worry for stakeholders, policy makers and the population as a whole. Across the world and especially in the sub-Saharan Africa, population growth rate and the provision of environmental health facilities are imbalanced. This research was carried out to assess the environmental health status of selected basic schools at Kpone Katamanso District in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana.
Methods: The study was cross-sectional. Data were collected in forty sampled basic schools using quantitative study technique. Multistage sampling technique was employed in the selection of the schools for the study. Thus, stratified sampling, where schools were divided into proportions at various stages, and simple random sampling using computer generated random numbers, were used to obtain the schools that were administered the structured standardized checklist. Collected data were processed and analyzed with the use of stata14 software to obtain the descriptive statistics. Measures of association were also carried out using chi-square and logistic regression analysis.
Results: Findings showed that majority of basic schools had latrines comprising water closets, pour flush and KVIP. Private owned basic schools generally had more and better sanitary facilities than government owned schools. Open defecation was mostly practiced among government schools. Refuse bins were available at most basic schools of which majority were covered with hand flip. More than half of the basic schools had hand washing points without soap. Safe water sources were found on the premises of most of the basic schools studied. Few basic schools had their refuse separated into organic and inorganic. All public basic schools toilet facilities were
cleaned by pupils whilst those of private schools were mostly cleaned by hired cleaners.
Conclusion: Generally, toilet facilities cleaned by hired cleaners were twelve times tidier than those cleaned by pupils.
