This dataset was collected as part of the Open Defecation Free (ODF) Verification Exercise conducted in 2019 across selected Traditional Authorities (TAs) in Dowa and Ntchisi districts in Malawi.
# ODF Sanitation and Hygiene Household Survey – Ntchisi & Dowa District 2019
This dataset was collected as part of the Open Defecation Free (ODF)
Verification Exercise conducted in 2019 across selected Traditional
Authorities (TAs) in Dowa and Ntchisi districts in Malawi. The data was
gathered using the mWater platform under the coordination of BASEflow, a
Malawian NGO focused on strengthening sustainable access to water,
sanitation, and hygiene (WASH).
The dataset includes household-level observations on sanitation facility
types, hygiene practices, and menstrual hygiene management (MHM). It
captures the availability, usage, and quality of latrines, handwashing
facilities, and bathing areas—along with behavioral indicators like
privacy, safety, and waste disposal practices. The goal was to assess
whether communities met the conditions for ODF certification.
**Potential Use Cases**
This dataset may be useful for:
1. WASH Practitioners and NGOs To monitor sanitation coverage, identify
behavior change needs, and design targeted interventions in rural
settings.
2. Government Agencies and District Councils As evidence for validating
ODF status, planning sanitation improvements, and aligning with
national sanitation strategies.
3. Researchers and Public Health Experts To study sanitation behavior,
infrastructure gaps, and their impact on community health and
hygiene.
4. Development Partners and Donors To track progress towards SDG 6
(Clean Water and Sanitation), evaluate past investments, and guide
future funding priorities.
5. Advocacy and Communication Specialists To develop localized
messaging and campaigns promoting sustained use of improved
sanitation and hygiene practices.
## Installation
You can install the development version of dowaodfsurvey from
GitHub with:
``` r
# install.packages("devtools")
devtools::install_github("openwashdata/dowaodfsurvey")
```
``` r
## Run the following code in console if you don't have the packages
## install …