Drinking water, sanitation, hygiene, and health conditions in India: Findings from the national sample survey

• Published in: Journal of family medicine and primary care 2024-04, Vol.13 (4), p.1535-1543
• Main Author: Vennu, Vishal
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Drinking water; environment; garbage; health; Health aspects; Households; hygiene; Medical care; Quality management; Sanitation; Surveys; toilet facility; water
• ISSN: 2249-4863; 2278-7135
• DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1435_23

Uncertainty exists in the drinking water, sanitation, hygiene, and health conditions due to mosquitoes and flies across India. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the availability of drinking water, sanitation, hygiene, and health in India. We used secondary analysis data on 95,548 household members from the National Sample Survey, which included 113,822 homes and 555,351 persons across India between June 2017 and 2018. About 36.4% of household members stated that tube wells or boreholes outside the property at a distance of less than 0.2 km were their main source of drinking water. More than 87% of respondents said that the water they drank was free of impurities, and 55.1% said that it had not been treated. About 45.7% of respondents stated that there were no bathrooms in the dwellings. More than 50% of the time, according to the respondents, garbage was not collected. A flea or mosquito problem was reported by about 97% of households. Around 97% of households reported fevers that were caused by a disease. In India, poor access to drinking water, sanitary facilities, good hygiene, and healthcare existed. The results will support the next visionary programs to increase living standards in the country.