Assessment of Water,sanitation and Hygiene(wash) Practices and Livelihood Sustainability Among Farming Household in Osun State, Nigeria

This study examined the relationship between Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) practices and livelihood sustainability among farming households in Osun State, Nigeria. Poor access to safe water, inadequate sanitation, and unhygienic practices continue to undermine public health and economic productivity, particularly in rural agricultural communities. Despite the increasing recognition of WASH as a critical driver of sustainable development, many farming households still face significant challenges that threaten their well-being and livelihood outcomes. The objectives of this study were to: identify prevalent WASH practices among farming households; determine factors influencing the usage of WASH practices; assess the livelihood security status of farming households; affecting livelihood security; and examine the effect of WASH practices on livelihood sustainability. A two-stage sampling technique was used to select 150 farming households across three Local Government Areas. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, the WASH Performance Index (WPI), Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression, Household Livelihood Security Index (HLSI), and Binary Logistic Regression. The findings revealed that borehole and well water were the most accessed sources of water, but sanitation and hygiene facilities remained insufficient. Key factors influencing WASH practices included gender, age, income, and access to credit. About 58.28 percent of the households had low livelihood security status. The regression analysis showed that improved WASH practices significantly influenced livelihood security, while higher income and education levels enhanced WASH adoption. The study concludes that inadequate WASH practices negatively affect the health, productivity, and economic sustainability of rural farming households. It recommends that policymakers and stakeholders strengthen rural WASH infrastructure, integrate health education into community programs, and provide targeted financial support to improve hygiene behaviors and overall livelihood outcomes.