YOUNG children who are living close to areas where open defections are practised are more likely to experience poor growth and slowness in learning.
This was highlighted by Robert Muller RWASH Coordinator at the Environmental Health Division (EHD) of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) at the launch of the National Sustainable Sanitation Programme (NSSP) last Thursday at the Western Provincial Capital Gizo.
The launching was conducted by the Western Province Deputy Premier Calrick Runimetu.
The NSSP Phase 2 rollout covers Kolombangara, South East Vella and Ranoggah. It would be implemented within one year with a focus on ensuring selected communities in these three islands have access to good sanitation.
This initiative aims to reduce the past practise defecating in the bushes, rivers, coastal areas and beaches.
Speaking at the launch to highlight the impacts of having poor sanitation, Mr Muller said one of the negative impacts this practise has on young children is ‘stunted growth.’
“Children are most vulnerable to negative impacts poor sanitation and hygiene practices by affecting their growth.
“Children living in places near open defecation are 11 percent more likely to have stunted growth.
“Also, diarrhoea is more prevalent in areas with poor toilet usage rates.
“Diarrhoea is the second leading cause of deaths amongst children under five years of age.
“The practice of open defection creates an environment where disease transmission takes place and it is young children in particular who pay the highest price by getting sick from diarrhoea,” Mr Muller emphasised.
He explained that, “stunted growth simply means that a child cannot grow because he/she continues to be affected by diarrhoea.”
Mr Muller added that another impact of stunted growth on the child is less concentration in class and slow learning ability.
“In the end, it affects the child’s learning ability at school and overall performance.”
As such, Mr Muller said it is important for rural families to know the impacts of poor sanitation on their wellbeing.
According to the World Bank, 165 million children globally under the age of 5 are trapped in poverty and living under the substandard sanitary conditions.
In 2017, deaths due to diarrhoea amongst children under five years of age in Solomon Islands stood at 0.07 percent.
By MOFFAT MAMU