Peer-Reviewed Academic Journal
Lapai Journal of Science and Technology
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EVALUATION OF WATER, SANITATION AND HYGIENE IN A CHANGING CLIMATE IN KOGI STATE CENTRAL SENATORIAL DISTRICT: THE WAY FORWARD

Authors: ✍️ Ibrahim, S. I. ✍️ Bibot, S. H.

Abstract

This study assesses the impacts of climate change on WASH services in Central Senatorial District of Kogi State by; Evaluating current levels of access, service quality, and equity for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) across households and key institutions (schools, PHCs, markets), Assesses how floods and dry-season water stress affect WASH infrastructure, behaviors, and health outcomes, and appraise the effectiveness of existing adaptation measures (e.g., raised latrines, borehole sitting, flood-proof platforms, rainwater harvesting). A systematic sampling technique was used through mixed-methods approach by combining surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions with climate data analysis. Two towns were sampled systematically from each local government area of Central Senatorial District Kogi State. The study targeted Household heads/primary health caregivers (core); School heads and PHC officers-in-charge (institutional module); Water-point caretakers (water-infrastructure module). Four hundred household heads were sampled and structured lerkit scaled questionnaires were distributed considering town size from five thousand to ten thousand in each Local government areas. ANOVA Statistical technique was used in comparing the means of continuous variables of water quality, sanitation facility types between different towns by evaluating magnitude effect of changing climate on WASH. Results show that climate change exacerbates WASH challenges in Kogi Central, particularly in rural areas. Rural and peri-urban communities face more severe water quality and reliability challenges, largely due to inadequate infrastructure and weaker institutional support. Conversely, urban centres benefit from slightly stronger institutional presence, but they still perceive climate change as a significant threat to WASH services. The pattern of WASH in the study area exacerbates corresponding percentages of 50%, 60% and 47% respectively on the towns according to their population. According to ANOVA, Access to water, Health and Sanitation vary significantly at (p 0.05). Implementation of these strategies requires strengthened institutional capacities, increased funding, and community engagement. This study contributes to the growing body of research on climate change and WASH, providing insights for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers working to improve WASH services in climate-vulnerable contexts. The study recommends a multi-faceted approach to address these challenges, including climate-informed WASH planning, community-led total sanitation initiatives, and climate-resilient water infrastructure.

Keywords

#Climate change #Climate-resilient WASH systems #Water #Households and Infrastructure
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Publication Date April 02, 2025
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) Not assigned
Journal Volume & Issue LAPAI JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY