Changes in knowledge, access to services and practices relating to water, hygiene and sanitation in the Beni and Mweso health zones, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: results of baseline and end-line surveys conducted as part of the PPSSP intervent

Abstract

This study assessed households’ knowledge, access to services and practices regarding water, hygiene and sanitation in the Beni and Mweso health zones in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in the context of the implementation of WASH interventions under the Primary Health Care Promotion Programme (PPSSP). A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted amongst 418 households – 127 in Beni and 291 in Mweso – using a structured questionnaire covering access to water, the availability and treatment of drinking water, handwashing practices, access to latrines, open defecation and episodes of diarrhoea among children under five. The results were also compared with those of the baseline CAP survey to assess changes in the main indicators. A descriptive comparison with an initial CAP survey carried out prior to the main interventions showed a favourable trend in several WASH indicators: 97.1 per cent of households use an improved water source, 78.5 per cent have a sufficient supply of water and 75.8 per cent have access to a latrine. Furthermore, 57.9 per cent of respondents cited at least three key handwashing moments, whilst 35.4 per cent of households have a handwashing facility. However, only 5.0 per cent of households reported treating their drinking water. Open defecation by adults has fallen to 8.6 per cent, but 18.9 per cent of household’s report that at least one child under the age of five had suffered from diarrhoea in the two weeks prior to the survey. These findings demonstrate significant progress in access to WASH services, but highlight the need to strengthen hygiene practices, water treatment and behaviour change interventions in order to consolidate these gains and reduce health risks in the long term.

Keywords: WASH; Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP); Safe drinking water; Hand hygiene; Sanitation; Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Received Date: June 19, 2026

Accepted Date: July 10, 2026

Published Date: August 01, 2026

Available Online at: https://www.ijsrisjournal.com/index.php/ojsfiles/article/view/881