Participatory Action Research for WASH by Children and Youth in Peri-Urban Communities

AbstractIn the study of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and its related health impact, it is imperative to understand the people and their respective environments to ensure lasting improvements in their quality of life. To explore this theme, this chapter provides details of a Participatory action research (PAR) conducted with members of Dziko Langa, a children and youth club, based in two peri-urban settlements in Lusaka, Zambia. The study was aimed at collaborative examination and intervention alongside club members, focusing on health and sociocultural aspects relating to WASH within their communities. The chapter is divided into three parts: (1) peri-urban WASH assessment and intervention through participatory approaches, (2) development of a quantitative self-assessment methodology for fecal contamination in their living environment, and (3) visualization approaches for community and stakeholder engagement. Through collaborative studies such as these, we can further explore the abilities of local communities to independently measure the health levels of their environment, identify WASH priorities, engage with stakeholders and policymakers, and share their findings for the betterment of the broader community.