The Role of Sanitation and Hygiene in Skin Diseases in Wetlands: A Study Case from Indonesia

Abstract

Poor environmental sanitation and inadequate personal hygiene in wetland settlements increase the risk of skin diseases, as water sources often serve as transmission pathways for pathogens. Despite the crucial role of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in disease prevention, research on its specific impact on skin health in wetland communities remains limited. This study aimed to examine the association between individual characteristics, environmental sanitation, and personal hygiene with skin disease complaints among residents of Dusun 3, Sungai Lebung Ulu Village, Ogan Ilir, Indonesia. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 94 respondents aged ≥16 years, selected through simple random sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using univariate and bivariate analysis with the Chi-square test. The results showed that 27.7% of respondents reported skin disease complaints. A significant association was found between access to clean water and skin disease complaints (p = 0.000, PR = 2.300, 95% CI). However, no significant associations were observed for age (p = 0.140), gender (p = 1.000), education level (p = 0.336), employment status (p = 0.888), toilet usage (p = 0.558), bathing habits (p = 0.456), handwashing with soap (p = 1.000), or clothing change habits (p = 0.811). The findings highlight that reliance on contaminated water sources significantly increases the risk of skin diseases, emphasizing the urgent need for improved water sanitation infrastructure. Public health interventions should focus on increasing community awareness and access to clean water to reduce skin disease prevalence in wetland settlements.