Sithole, Daniel Hlomasambe2019-07-062020-01-072019-07-062020-01-072011Sithole, D. H. (2011) Sustainability and impact of improved wash (water supply, sanitation and hygiene) services on health in rural areas: the case study of Swaziland. Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam. Available at http://41.86.178.3/internetserver3.1.2/detail.aspxhttp://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/298Available in printThe main aim of the study was to measure the health benefits of improved water supply, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services in the rural areas of Swaziland. The indicators that were used to measure the impacts were diarrhoeal diseases and schistosomiasis. Hygiene practices on communities provided with WASH services were also compared with that of communities not provided with WASH services. The sustainability of the WASH services was also assessed using multi criteria analysis. The study was conducted in all the four regions of Swaziland on forty seven areas provided with WASH services in the rural areas. Data on prevalence of diarrhoeal diseases and schistosomiasis was gathered from local health facilities serving the communities under the study. Data on hygiene behavior and sustainability was gathered through observations, from stakeholders at all levels by means of interviews and administration of questionnaires and it was analyzed using Microsoft Excel Spread Sheet. The results showed that the provision of WASH services had a positive impact on the reduction of episodes of diarrhoeal diseases by 5.5% and schistosomiasis prevalence was reduced by 36.8% though hygiene behavior did not improve. The results also showed that 46.2% of the WASH services were not sustainable. The economic savings resulting from the reduction of diarrhoeal diseases and schistosomiasis since the services were implemented was E89,450. 00 (US$12,778. 57). It was noted that collaboration between all stakeholders should be strengthened.enSanitationWater supply, Sanitation, rural, Rural health, SwazilandRural healthSwazilandThesis