WASH, DEWORMING PRACTICES AND THE ASSOCIATION WITH NUTRITIONAL STATUS AMONG ADOLESCENT POPULATION (10-19 YEARS)- COMMUNITY-BASEDCROSSSECTIONAL ANALYTICAL STUDY, SOUTH INDIA

Abstract

Introduction: Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene(WASH)practices and deworming interventions play a crucial role in adolescent health, yet their association with nutritional status remains underexplored in South India. The purpose of this study is to use logistic regression analysis to evaluate the association between WASH, deworming procedures, and nutritional status in adolescents aged 10 to 19.

Methods: 150 teenagers participated in a cross-sectional analytical study that was based in the community.A pretested, semi-structured questionnaire provided information on socio- demographic details and anthropometry(weight, height), and information on WASH(primary water source, water facility accessibility, kind of sanitation facility utilized, open defecation practice, soap use after defecation and napkins during menstruation), access to adolescent health services(applied deworming methods, attended Anganwadi, a rural child care center in India), and sought medical attention during the previous six months). To find correlations, logistic regression was used to examine data on WASH habits, deworming history, and nutritional status.

Results:Poor hand hygiene,lack of access to clean drinking water,and absence of deworming significantly contributed to poor nutritional outcomes. Majority of the study participants(70%) do not follow any disinfection method before consumption. Among the study participants, 17.3% were practicing open-air defecation. Among the study participants, 32.7% won’t be practicing handwashing with soap before food consumption. Majority of the study participants (84.7%) won't wear footwear when they go to the toilet. Adolescents who did not receive deworming tablets had a higher risk of under nutrition (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Strengthening WASH infrastructure and deworming programs is essential for improving adolescent nutrition. Public health policies must integrate these interventions to reduce malnutrition and related morbidities.