A Research Proposal to Address the Gap in Knowledge Affiliated to the Sustainable Development Goal Number Six (SDG-6) Interconnection with Public Health and to Proffer Strategy for Dissemination and Implementation of Findings to Improve Public Health Practice in Nigeria.
Authors: Fatunmib Ibukun 
Published: January 2024

Background: This research proposal focuses on water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) as crucial elements in preventive healthcare. The high prevalence of poor hygiene and sanitation practices in Nigeria, highlighted by its status as the world’s open defecation capital, poses significant risks, especially in low-income settings. The research involves a mixed-method approach, including qualitative analysis of existing literature and quantitative data collection through surveys. The ethical considerations include obtaining informed consent from participants. The ultimate goal is to contribute to improving public health outcomes by addressing WASH-related challenges in Nigeria. Aims: The lack of access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation is a huge concern to public health practices as the insufficient access to safe water, hygiene, and sanitation poses a significant challenge to public health practices, particularly in low-income countries like Nigeria, contributing to environmental health risks and infectious diseases. This study aims to critically appraise the knowledge gaps in the area of SDGs number six (WASH) connection with public health outcomes and to put forward a strategic plans for dissemination of findings vis-a-vis implementation to improve public health practices in Nigeria. Methods: The research propose a mixed-method approach, combining qualitative and quantitative methods. Qualitative data collection involves in-depth analysis of existing articles, write-ups, ethnography, observations, interviews, documents, and open-ended questionnaires to explore knowledge gaps in SDG-6 and its link to public health practices, especially environmental health and infectious diseases in Nigeria. Qualitative document analysis is proposed to delve into specific topics, themes, and issues. Quantitative data collection will includes surveys and observations in the study area, gathering numerical information represented in tables, graphs, and models. The sample size comprises 120 individuals using a stratified sampling technique. Data analysis will involves Microsoft Excel for interview analysis, incorporating frequencies, pie charts, bar graphs, and percentages. Ethical considerations include informed consent and approvals from the National Health Research Ethics Committee, Nigeria. Expected Findings: In addition to government and other agencies roles in ensuring safe water, hygiene and sanitation; individuals, private sector and academic institutions at schools, home, religious centers and other public settings also has a responsibility for a clean and hygiene practices as considerable number of people that are unaware of ideal and appropriate way such that meet the standard for safety and hygiene, with Government ignorantly focusing largely on water element and not considering other components of WASH behind. There are needs to monitor pattern, improvement or decline of provision of WASH services and ensuring the appropriate use of the facilities. Conclusions: The research findings would be disseminated through the internet and social media, others are one-one meetings, policy briefs, seminars and workshop for public health practitioners, and news media. All these medium will be in addition to the conventional research dissemination approaches such as books, articles and journal publication.