Water , sanitation and hygiene also described as WASH are connected because they all play a big role ( very crucial) in preventing diseases.
When people have access to clean water, proper toilets, and practice good hygiene like washing hands, they are less likely to get sick. This is vital for communities, workplaces, and overall public health.
I will be breaking down each term with 2 distinct pilars.
WATER
In this context, water is the access to safe, affordable drinking water.
Public health impacts ( Nigeria context );
Prevents water borne diseases like cholera and typhoid.
SANITATION
This is the safe disposable of our waste ( Human waste). Such as toilet's and sewerage.
Public health impacts ( Nigeria Context );
Safe disposal of waste stops the " Fecal oral route" of disease transmission. This means it stops the process where pathogens such as malaria, viruses or parasites in faeces ( shit ) particle of an infected animal or person are ingested by another person causing more harm.
HYGIENE
This is Hand washing and personal hygiene (cleaning yourself ).
Public health impacts ( Nigeria Context );
It prevents ( defense ) the body and system against respiratory infections and skin diseases.
THE CYCLE OF DISEASES
This is connection between the WASH.
1. Poor sanitation
This involves open defecation or leaking of septic tanks of conterminated ground water.
2. Unsafe water
People use same water to cook , drink and wash. Conterminated water ( untreated ).
3. Poor hygiene
If there is no soap or clean water to wash hands after using the laterine ( toilets ) , pathogens spread to foods and surfaces then ingested into humans. Lack of proper self cleanings.
In Nigeria, improving WASH is not just about building toilets , it is about reducing the burden on our hospitals, saving and prolonging lives.
Beyond Diarrhea and Cholera, poor water , sanitation and hygiene leads to chronic intestinal inflammation ( Environmental Enteropathy). This is a situation even if a child eats well , their body cannot absorbs the nutrients because of constant exposure to facal pathogens.
This cause stunting, which affects 32% of Nigeria children.
On marernal and new born health, without clean water in the delivery rooms ( only 6 % of Nigerian facilities habe full WASH system) mothers and new born are at high risks os sepsis, a leading cause to maternal mortality in Nigeria.
Most common experiment, Overseas Antibiotics.
This contributes to the rise of superbugs, making standard treating for typhoid or pneumonia ineffective.
We can argue that poor WASH is a poverty trap.
THE MECHANISM OF CONNECTION
1. Contamination
When sanitation is poor , humans excreta enters the environment via fluids ( water ) , flies, field and fingers.
This explains how disease causing organisms ( Pathogen ) reaches humans or new Host.
2. Ingestion
These disease causing organisms ( pathogens ) reach the host ( humans ) through contaminated food or water, leading to enteric infections.
3. The barrier role
Effect of WASH acts as a Primary Barrier ( sanitation/ toilets) and a Secondary Barrier ( safe water and hand washing ) to break the cycle.
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| Safe water, sanitation and hygiene SDG 3/6 |
The connection between water, sanitation and hygiene ( WASH ) forms a critical defense system that determines the survival and productivity of the Nigeria population. Cholera outbreaks and high infant mortality are not medical issues but are environmental consequences of broken transmission barriers.
By understanding the flow from contamination to ingestion, it becomes clear that the barrier role of WASH is most effective. VACCINE against the double burden of disease in Nigeria.
Adogo Chwanuh is a young creative and sustainable development goals advocate SDG 3 & 6.
Federal Ministry of Water Resources (2024). Water, Sanitation and Hygiene National Outcome Routine Mapping (WASHNORM) IV Report. Abuja, Nigeria.
UNICEF (2025). Progress on Household Drinking Water, Sanitation and Hygiene 2000-2024: Special Focus on Gender and Inequality. WHO (2026). Global Strategy on Health, Environment and Climate Change: Nigeria Country Profile.
