Availability and Satisfactoriness of Latrines and Hand Washing Stations in Health Facilities, and Role in Health Seeking Behavior of Women: Evidence from Rural Pune District, India

This paper by Steinmann et al. (2015) published in the Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development, presents the findings of a study investigating the impact of the quality of WASH conditions in health facilities on women’s health seeking behaviour. It finds that women were generally satisfied with the WASH installations in public facilities, but considered private facilities as better. WASH installations were also generally acceptable in private facilities, while improvements are needed in some government facilities. Women expect WASH installations in health facilities, and view their quality in a broader framework of ‘cleanliness’, which they consider when choosing facilities.