Effects of components of sanitation on nutritional status: findings from South Indian settlements

The provision of sanitary facilities to a community neither guarantees they will be used nor that they will provide health benefits if they are used. This study, conducted in three urban communities in Madras, India, follows pre-school children over the course of approximately one year to determine the relative effects on growth of sanitation factors. These factors were defined as being under the control of children, those controlled by parents, and factors not under the direct discretionary control of any family member. Data were also collected on other variables suspected to affect nutritional or health status. A statistical technique was used that accounts for the effects of non sanitation-related variables. Children from 18 to 36 months of age benefit most from their own and their parents sanitary behaviour. Older children benefit from availability of resources for hygiene. Children under 18 months of age tend to be unaffected by any of the sanitation-related variables considered.