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ABSTRACT Access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) is a fundamental human right and a critical public health challenge in refugee camps like Nguenyiel. This community-based cross-sectional study of 398 households assessed WASH service utilization in Nguenyiel Refugee Camp from March to April 2024. While 74.9% of respondents reported nominal access to at least one WASH service, only 25.1% had access to both functional water points and latrines. The study revealed stark inequalities and critical utilization gaps: 79.9% of households lacked hand-washing stations, and only 2.5% consistently used soap after toilet visits. Multivariate analysis identified significant demographic disparities, with females 48% less likely to have adequate WASH access than males (Adjusted odds ratio 0.518, p = 0.035). Water collection burdens fell exclusively on women (62.8%) and girls (37.2%), exposing them to gender-based violence risks and lost opportunities. Additionally, 92.7% of households experienced weekly water scarcity. Factors such as marital status, disease awareness, and the availability of hand-washing areas significantly predicted service accessibility. Targeted interventions must prioritize gender-equitable infrastructure and behavioral shifts to move beyond nominal access toward safe, reliable WASH utilization.
Nyuot et al. (Mon,) studied this question.