Water, women and disability: Using mixed-methods to support inclusive wash programme design in Vanuatu

Abstract

Background: Adequate access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) is imperative for health and wellbeing, yet people with disabilities, people with incontinence and people who menstruate often experience unmet WASH requirements. Methods: In 2019 we completed a mixed-methods study in two provinces of Vanuatu, (SANMA and TORBA). The study comprised 1) a population-based disability survey using the Washington Group Short-Set 2) a nested case-control study to explore associations between WASH, disability and gender, and 3) an in-depth qualitative assessment of the experiences of WASH users with additional requirements: people with and without disabilities who menstruate, or experience incontin..