Effects of access to water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities on academic performance of female students in senior high schools

Abstract

Understanding Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in schools from gender perspectives is fundamental in development. This study sought to investigate the effects of access to water, sanitation and hygiene facilities on academic performance of female students in senior high schools in the Akuapem South District of the Eastern Region of Ghana. The study was a descriptive survey. The views of 120 respondents comprising 40 female students from each of the three (3) selected senior high school within the Akuapem South District were sought using a self-developed questionnaire. Primary and secondary sources of data collection method were used and data collected from the field was processed and analysed. The study revealed that respondents' knowledge and understanding of WASH facility is skewed as majority (73.3%) believed that WASH facilities to be the availability of clean and potable water. Two-thirds (66.3%) of the students were not satisfied with the WASH facilities available in the various schools visited. This has an impact on the academic performance of students. Only few female students (26.7%) believe that the absence of WASH facilities do not impact on their participation in co-curricular activities. Evidence of the impact of school-based WASH programs in reducing student absence from class was mixed. Ensuring access to safe and sufficient water and sanitation and hygiene promotion in schools has great potential to improve health and education and to contribute to inclusion and equity. This affirms the importance of providing adequate supply of WASH facilities in second cycle schools to facilitate educational efficiency and progression of female students in the senior high school.