The “Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP)” study was conducted to evaluate the impact and outcomes of WASH interventions implemented by Save the Children in Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. This study provided end-line data for the Global Affairs Canada (GAC)-funded project and baseline data for the Save the Children Japan (SCJ)-funded project. Both initiatives aimed to improve access to safe water, sanitation facilities, and hygiene behavior among refugee populations and host communities.

The study covered five refugee camps and focused on key WASH indicators, including access to adequate water and sanitation, health and hygiene practices, and menstrual hygiene management. The approach integrated both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods, leveraging tools such as surveys, focus group discussions (FGDs), key informant interviews (KIIs), and participatory workshops to gather comprehensive insights. A total of 753 respondents participated in the study, which included men, women, adolescents, and children aged 7–12 years.

Key findings revealed gaps in access to safe water and adequate sanitation, challenges in menstrual hygiene management, and the limited adoption of critical hygiene practices. The results guided actionable recommendations to improve WASH services and inform future interventions for the Rohingya crisis response.

Key Highlights of the Assignment

DM WATCH LIMITED undertook a comprehensive mixed-method approach to ensure a robust analysis for the study. Key activities included:

• – Project Planning and Preparation:
  • – Conducted initial consultations with Save the Children to define project objectives, scope, and methodologies.
  • – Reviewed relevant project documents and previous assessments to align the study framework with intervention goals.
  • – Designed and finalized quantitative and qualitative data collection tools, including surveys and participatory workshop guidelines, in consultation with Save the Children.
• – Field Team Training and Mobilization:
  • – Pretested data collection tools to ensure accuracy and adaptability to the field context.
  • – Organized a four-day training workshop for enumerators, focusing on data collection techniques, child safeguarding, and ethical considerations.
  • – Deployed a trained field team to five refugee camps for data collection.
• – Data Collection:
  • – Conducted 753 quantitative surveys, ensuring representative data from men, women, adolescents, and children across the camps.
  • – Facilitated FGDs with adolescent girls, women, and community representatives to capture qualitative insights.
  • – Organized child-friendly participatory assessment workshops for children aged 7–12 to assess their WASH knowledge and perceptions.
  • – Carried out KIIs with WASH focal persons and committee members to gather expert opinions.
• – Data Management and Analysis:
  • – Processed and analyzed quantitative data using Excel and SPSS using descriptive and inferential statistics.
  • – Analyzed qualitative data through thematic coding and summarized findings for triangulation with quantitative results.
• – Reporting and Dissemination:
  • – Prepared an initial draft report highlighting key findings, challenges, and recommendations, which was shared with Save the Children for feedback.
  • – Incorporated feedback into the final report, ensuring alignment with study objectives and project indicators.
  • – Organized a dissemination workshop to present findings to stakeholders and gather additional input.
• – Ethical Standards:
  • – Ensured informed consent from all respondents and adhered to Save the Children’s child safeguarding policies throughout the study.
  • – Prioritized the privacy and dignity of participants during data collection.

This study emphasized DM WATCH LIMITED’s capability to conduct large-scale, multidimensional assessments, contributing to evidence-based decision-making for humanitarian interventions.