Improving Access to Water and Sanitation in Bangladesh

Informal Settlement, Mombasa

Knowledge Attitudes and Practices Assessment

Report

Maji na Ufanisi / CAFOD

Prepared by Geoffrey Kibet Rotich,
Monitoring and Evaluation Officer
2014

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report highlights the results from the baseline KAP survey conducted by Maji na Ufanisi
(MnU) in Bangladesh informal settlement, Mombasa, in December 2013. This was in-line with
the Project: Improving Access to Water and Sanitation in Bangladesh Informal Settlement
funded by CAFOD Match Fund. The project commenced in April 2013 and it will phase out in
April 2014.
In the survey questionnaires were administered to households, similarly key informant
interviews were done to individuals who command authority within the settlement. The MnU
team with two community elders also went on transect walks for observations to gain more
insight to the situation on the ground.
From the survey it was realized that Bangladesh settlement, given its population, continues to
face challenges of water and sanitation access. The role of youth in local development
especially in solid waste management showed that capacity building and empowerment should
be planned for their growth.
The Project has opened other lines of linkages especially with Mombasa County officials and the
County Administration. The concerns and interests of these stakeholders in the thematic areas
of Water and Sanitation show the level of expected impact of the Project in Bangladesh.

1.0 Background
Bangladesh informal settlement is one of the largest informal settlements in Mombasa in terms
of population area coverage with an estimated population of 20,000 people (National census
report 2009). It is located in Mikindani Location of Changamwe District 5.5 KM West of
Mombasa Island. The name originated from the destination of the Asian owner who had
originally occupied the settlement and later left for Peoples Republic of Bangladesh. After he
left, Bangladesh was a free area and people started settling there from 1950s, naming the
settlement Bangladesh after the destination of the Asian owner. The settlement is divided into
seven homogenous zones namely; Mkupe, Nairobi, Majengo, Kachimbeni, Majengo Mpya, Central,
and Giriamana. The zones are homogenous in that they share similar characteristics in terms of
housing type, general occupations, sources of incomes, health and sanitation situations and
population density. There are no clear-cut boundaries separating these zones.

Maji na Ufanisi (MnU) and the Catholic Agency for Oversee Development (CAFOD)
started a project to increase access to improve water and sanitation services in Bangladesh
in 2012. In order to achieve the maximum benefit from this intervention and to ensure that
the target community has the necessary information, knowledge and practices, the partners
carried out Knowledge Attitudes and Practices (KAP) survey. The exercise involved
administering of 240 questionnaires using stratified sampling method. Other techniques
were focused group discussions, key informant interviews and observations. Data was
analyzed using the Google form application, and presented using graphs, pie charts and
tables. In conclusion the report find that even though sanitation is inextricably linked to
water, no other single intervention is more likely to have a significant impact on poverty in
Bangladesh informal settlement than the provision of safe adequate water.

2.0 Survey Exercise

2.1Determination of sample size
Bangladesh informal settlement has a population estimated to be more than 20,000
according to information sought by MnU during project startup in 2011. The target
population for the project is 631 households. A representative sample was obtained through

the Cochran formula which gave a sample of 240. The respondents households were
identified through stratified random sampling method and the interview schedules
administered to household head with regard to gender. Given the homogenous nature of
Bangladesh a uniform sample of 28 households across the 7 zones were picked.
3.0 Methodology
3.1 Household interviews
The interviews were administered to household head and if absent an adult male or female
member of the household was chosen. Enumerators who were balanced on gender went through
a training and pretest exercise. Tool completion and accuracy of data captured was ensured
through random cross checking of responses.
3.2 Key Informant Interviews and Transect walks
Information from key individuals from Bangladesh was used to supplement the other methods of
collection. The following key individuals were interviewed; Chairman of Uvumilivu CBO, Head
teacher of St. Marys Primary, Treasurer Glory Worship Centre, and one village elder.
The Chairman Uvumilivu CBO and the Head teacher of St. Marys Primary were available for
the transect walks where water points, latrine areas, and empty spaces were checked.
3.3 Ethical Issues
Enumerators were trained on how to conduct interviews. Just like any other survey respondents
have the right to respond or avoid responding any given question and this decision was
respected. Individual rights to privacy and confidentiality were observed.
4.0 SURVEY FINDINGS
Gender distribution of the respondents
59% and 41% of the household respondents were
males and females respectively. Also a Focus Group
Discussion targeting participants who attended the
leadership training was carried out to ascertain their
knowledge, expectations and practices under water
and sanitation thematic areas.

Head of Households
One assumption of the survey was that households could either be headed by a man, woman or in some
cases child-headed. Analysis showed 89% and 11% of interviewed households were headed by men and
women respectively. On the other hand, no household was headed by children.
Age distribution of respondents
< 18

2%

18-28

38%

29-39

36%

40-49

17%

50-59

5%

>60

2%

The bulk of respondents were between the ages of 18 years to 49 years with a cumulative percentage of
91% of total respondents. This means most residents of Bangladesh compose of the working and young
adults. They are in the child bearing ages and may also explain the reason why there are many children
in the area as well as high HIV prevalence (even though this was not the objective of the survey).
4.1 WATER SITIATION IN THE AREA
The major core business of MnU is the provision of clean and adequate water to residents of informal
settlements. Households should have safe and equitable access to sufficient quantities of water for
drinking, cooking, personal and domestic uses. The survey sought information on water sources,
distance from households to the sources, water quality, water storage, and water uses.
Sources of household water

piped municipal water

12%

private water vendors

80%

borehole

7%

unprotected well

0%

Other

1%

80% of Bangladesh residents obtain their water from private water vendors. These vendors include
individuals who have set up their water kiosks as well as organized groups / CBOs who sell water as an
income generating activity. Notably among these vendors is the Bangladesh Community Self-help Group
which manages the MnU/ Maltese funded facility. Very few households in the settlement have access to
municipality water which stands at 12 %. Notable here also is the fact that residents do not draw water
from unprotected sources.
Water

usage

per

day

per

household
90% of the residents use more
than 25 litres of water per day.
They use water in day-to-day
chores

as

cooking,

cleaning,

washing, bathing as well as drinking.

The amount of water used seems to depend on the price a household spend in purchasing water from
vendors. It also depends on how the water is used whether cooking, washing, drinking, bathing or
general cleaning. The distances to the source of water similarly affect the amounts used in households.
Distance to the nearest water point
<50 metres

49%

50-100 metres

42%

100-200 metres

4%

>200 metres

5%

Most residents collect their water near their dwellings. 49% of the respondents draw their water in less
than 50 meters from their homes. 91% of residents cannot go beyond 100 meters to get water.
This distance conforms to the Sphere minimum standards where public water points should be close to
the households.

Distance covered during scarcity

<50 metres

2%

50-100 metres

0%

100-200 metres

10%

> 200 metres

88%

Some periods the residents face water shortages due to factors beyond their control. They move long
distances more than 200 meters especially towards the main road where they buy water.
Gender roles in water fetching
Man

29%

Woman

46%

boy-child

14%

girl-child

11%

Women are the ones who fetch water at 46% followed by men at 29%. Notable during the analysis is the
fact that the girl-child occasionally fetches water against the surveys expectation. The girl-child spends
less time in household chores such as fetching water and it could be as a result of gender training and
awareness creation.
Methods of water treatment

boiling

10%

water guard

40%

filtering

2%

Untreated

48%

Piped water in Mombasa is believed to be generally clean as it is piped from Mzima springs in Taita
Taveta County. Most residents of Bangladesh therefore do no treat their water especially for drinking.
48% of respondents said they do treat drinking water. However 40 % of respondents use Waterguard
to treat water.
Water storage
From the observations by the enumerators it was noticeable that all households hand clean containers
for water storage. Some used wide open mouth containers as well as narrow neck containers.
Water borne diseases
Most people living in Bangladesh are aware of the diseases caused by water, untreated or otherwise, as
well as how to seek treatment. The respondents mentioned one or all of the following; diarrhea,
typhoid, bilharzias, cholera, and skin rashes. Most said affected persons seek medication in local health
centers while others are aware of ORS- oral rehydration salts.
4.2 SANITATION AND HOUSEHOLD HYGIENEMost of the residents have access to communal latrines.
These are latrines within a compound where the landlord rents rooms to tenants. The tenants share the
only pit latrine within each compound.
Type of latrine
Some few households in the settlement
have private improved latrines. There is a
commercial toilet constructed by MnU /
Maltese Charity in Bangladesh. 7% of the
respondents agree to be using the commercial facility.
Household-Latrine distance

< 50 metres

84%

50-100 metres

14%

100-200 metres

2%

> 200 metres

0%

Most latrines are within easy reach for residents, 84% latrines are less than 50 meters from dwellings
this conform to the Sphere minimum standards on sanitation and hygiene. However, close observation
found that the latrines are dirty with shaky doors and flies. Similarly the dwellings are congested putting
pressure on the few available latrines. 85% of respondents agreed that the available latrines are not
enough.
On the side of household hygiene residents are aware of the reasons why they clean wash hands before
preparing food, after visiting the latrine, after changing nappies, and before eating. 84% of residents use
soap and water in hand cleaning.
Solid waste disposal
The residents empty their dust bins/sacks in an open dumpsite. From here a youth group, paid by
residents, later cleans that dump site.
Unlike in the past where the dump site was
left unattended the Bangladesh youth
group have managed to carry out solid
waste management.
Gender roles in waste disposal
Like fetching of water, 52% women in the
settlement also are at the forefront of ensuring households are free of waste. The girl-child does limited
household waste disposal. These could be attributed to gender awareness creation
5.0 CONCLUSIONS
From the analysis and observations as well as key informant information it was confirmed that the
Bangladesh settlement still has a big gap in quantities of water required. The water service providers are
not able to satisfy the water demand in Mombasa and mostly in informal settlements including
Bangladesh. Except for the MnU/ Maltese constructed facility the water kiosks in Bangladesh are run by
private individuals who maximize profits. Residents face a rising cost of obtaining water especially when
other associated costs are factored such as the time taken to fetch water, the water treatment costs,
water storage and carrying costs.
Gender roles especially in fetching household water is done mainly by women but this could be as a
result of employment level where men work in factories and women are left at home.
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Respondents agreed that the latrine facilities in Bangladesh are not enough to accommodate the needs
of a population of more 20,000. However, the expectations are high especially to the fact the extra two
sanitation facilities will be constructed by MnU/CAFOD. According to Mr. Ogolla Chairman of Uvumilivu
CBO, the sanitation facilities to be set-up will improve hygiene by ensuring continuous presence of clean
water, clean toilets for men, women and children. He cites that the completed facility has been serving
many residents across the 7 zones. Observations from the transect walk by MnU staff with local
community key members found out that more needs to be done to get rid of pilling garbage especially
on unmaintained dump sites. These piles of garbage pose a risk to residents as it harbors pests and flies
as well as a source of bad smell. The youth group carrying out garbage collection in Bangladesh requires
more tools and further support in order to widen their scope in garbage collection.
6.0 RECOMMENDATIONS
The survey showed that residents have good standards of general hygiene as shown by hand washing
mechanisms, solid waste disposal and home cleaning. However the drainage systems within the
homesteads require rehabilitation in order to clear stagnant water and effluent from the old drainage
systems.
The expectation of residents and specifically the youth group which has been instrumental in solid waste
disposal is for MnU/CAFOD to empower them in order to improve their capacity to carry out solid waste
management. In this regard there should be comprehensive involvement of the youth groups within the
area in the various interventions programmed currently and in the future.
There is great improvement in safeguarding the rights of school going children especially the girl-child. In
this regard, it seems that if more gender awareness and training sessions are done to reach more people
the output will be remarkable.
Working with the Mombasa County Government especially the Office of Health and Sanitation will
ensure sustainability of MnU/CAFOD interventions. This will also improve working relationships between
Government and Non-Government organizations.

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