Congratulations to the team on completing the baseline survey for the PHED-SNV Rural Sanitation & Hygiene Programme. 

This sanitation and hygiene survey was carried out in four pilot sub-districts chosen to reflect the diversity of village and household settings across Bhutan – Nanong Geog in Pemagatshel district, Jarey in Lhuentse, Hilley in Sarpang and Laya in Gasa.  The aim is to monitor progress towards the programme goals and objectives and to help see what impact the programme is having on the lives of the intended beneficiaries.

 The SNV WaSH Team carried out the first of the baseline surveys in Nanong Geog in November 2008 assisted by a team of 12 hired male and female enumerators, supported by Dr. Juliet Waterkeyn, international consultant and Thinley Dorji, one of SNV Bhutan’s local capacity builders (LCB).  The baseline surveys in Jarey, Hilley and Laya were carried out in February and March 2009, assisted by the same hired enumerators and LCB. 

Reaching Pemagatshel from Thimphu involves a 2.5-day road journey traversing five mountain ranges, the highest pass exceeding 4,000 meters.  From Pemagatshel to Nanong is another 1.5-hour drive on a forestry road followed by a 3-hour walk to Nanong Basic Health Unit (BHU).  To reach the second BHU in Nanong Geog is another 5-hour walk and to get to the villages and households - more walking!  Jarey is similar while to get to Laya involves a 2-day trek.  Just the logistics of reaching the pilot Geogs is a major achievement (imagine if you leave something vital behind!), let alone doing the survey work!  We surveyed 453 households (33% sample in Nanong and Hilley and 50% sample in Jarey and Laya) and assembled data on 50 variables through observations and 55 variables through a questionnaire-guided interview – a total of 47,565 data items!  Estimating the walking steps made by each of the team members it is probably several times this figure – which deserves congratulations and a big WELL DONE!!

 Although we are still in the process of the detailed analysis of the data, the following findings resulted from the initial quick analysis. For example: 54% of respondents were female, 46% male. In 3 Geogs, the majority of the respondents were in the 41 to 60 years age group; in the fourth Geog the majority were in the 21 to 40 years age group. Across all 4 Geogs, 84% to 94% of households have some kind of toilet – most commonly a basic pit latrine without cover, located 11 or more paces from the house. Only 25% of toilets were assessed as ‘clean’. The most common anal cleansing material is leaves and/or sticks – only 3% reported using purchased toilet paper. Only 21% of households have a handwashing facility near the toilet; 30% have no handwashing facility at all. 73% of respondents reported they bathe/ wash in the open (that is in no special place) ...         

 A full report ‘Rural Sanitation Baseline & Impact Monitoring’ is available describing the process of designing the survey, developing the survey instruments, carrying out the first survey in Nanong and an initial analysis of the data.  A final report of the baseline survey is scheduled for completion by the end of May.

Our thanks go to the District Health Officers, the Health Assistants and the Tshogpas whose assistance was vital to the successful completion of the survey.

John Collett

Sanitation & Hygiene Specialist/ WaSH Sector Leader