Health

Health risk for 1.2 billion without access to toilets

Article published on the 2008-07-17 Latest update 2008-09-08 15:12 TU

Millions live without proper sanitation

Over a billion people worldwide have no access to toilet facilites, according to a report produced by the UN children's organisation (Unicef) and the World health Organisatoin (WHO). Lack of proper sanitation contributes to health hazards within the community, diarrheal diseases, and, ultimately, infant mortality.

The report out Thursday outlines a number of issues, particularly open defecation, a practice that is often a last resort for those without any form of sanitation. People defecate in fields, open spaces, or in bodies of water causing a health hazard for the people living in the surrounding area.

It is predominant in Southeast Asia, where 778 million people have no access to sanitation, while in sub-Saharan Africa it is practiced by 221 million people. The Unicef/WHO report indicates that this is largely a rural practice, and rural areas have the majority of unimproved toilet facilities.

Clarissa Brocklehurst, Unicef's water and sanitation chief, spoke to RFI from New York on the launch of the report. She said both organisations are no longer building latrines, but creating awareness about sanitation.

"It's clear to us that sanitation and the type of sanitation the family wants is a very personal decision that we can't find a one-size-fits-all sanitation facility," she said.

Other factors come into play, including whether the family is situated in a rural or urban setting, and depending on the culture of the family and community.