Exploring the spatial Nexus of wash and child health in Khulna using geospatial techniques

Child health is strongly influenced by the quality of waste management, sanitation, and hygiene—particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions. This study examined the spatial distribution of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services and their effects on child health in Ward No. 26 of Khulna City Corporation, Bangladesh , using Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques. Data was collected through 184 household surveys , focus group discussions (FGDs) , key informant interviews (KIIs) , and spatial analyses. Results revealed substantial disparities in access to WASH facilities: the proportion of areas with functional toilets ranged from 44.5 % to 61.4 % , access to safe drinking water varied from 9 % to 32 % , hygienic practices ranged from 14 % to 82 % , and effective waste management was as low as 10 % in some neighborhoods. In high-risk clusters, 47 % of children were affected by at least one disease. Correlation analysis showed that open waste dumping was strongly and positively associated with child illness ( r = 0.86 ), while personal hygiene practices exhibited a strong negative relationship with disease prevalence ( r = − 0.73 ). In contrast, functional toilets demonstrated a weak but negative association ( r = − 0.22 ). Spatial mapping identified clusters of typhoid, dysentery, and diarrhea near open disposal sites and contaminated water sources. The findings highlight that untreated water use and poor waste management substantially heighten environmental health risks. The study underscores the urgent need for improved sanitation infrastructure, community-based waste management, and hygiene education to reduce preventable childhood illnesses in urban Bangladesh.