EVALUATION OF THE WASH STRATEGY IN 3 NUTRITIONAL UNITS OF N'DJAMENA

Toralta Nodjitoloum J.* Ndortolnan A.1, Babe B., Gabkika B. and Abdelsalam T.

ABSTRACT

Summary: The WASH (Water, Sanitation, Hygiene) strategy aims to help reduce morbidity and mortality due to severe malnutrition in areas in nutritional crisis. The objective of this study is to evaluate its implementation in 3 Therapeutic Nutritional Units (UNT) of N'Djamena. Patients and method: this was a prospective, cross-sectional, descriptive study from September 2021 to February 2022 or 6 months. The study population consisted of carers of malnourished children and UNT staff. The variables studied were: socio-demographic characteristics of companions, knowledge of the WASH-NUT strategy in the UNTs, and the level of application by chaperones and staff. Data were entered using Word, Excel and were processed using SPSS version 18.0. Result: The 3 UNTs of N'Djamena: University Hospital Center (CHUME), Chad-China Friendship Hospital (HATC), Notre Dame des Apostles Hospital (HNDA) were evaluated. Accompanying persons aged 20-24 years were the most represented (32%) with a sex ratio of 0.03 M/F. The drinking water indicators of WASH NUT were 1/6 in CHUME; 4/6 in HNDA and 6/6 in HATC; Those related to the hygiene of the WASH system were at 4/10 for both UNT CHUME and HTC while the UNT of HNDA were at 7/10; The indicators related to the sanitation of the WASH system were 4/6 for the CHUME UNT and 5/6 for the two UNT HNDA, UNT HTC. Conclusion: The implementation of the WASH strategy in the 3 UNTs of N'Djamena is insufficient, an effort of ownership must be made by the stakeholders for extension in all health structures taking care of the malnourished. This must include community awareness and staff training.

Keywords: Evaluation, strategy, WASH NUT, UNT, NDJAMENA.