Hygiene status of rural communities in the Eastern Cape of South Africa

A descriptive study was conducted to determine hygiene status of rural communities in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, using a purposive sample of 145 villagers: 71 male and 74 female. Participants were divided into 14 groups (by community) and group interviews were conducted with them. Communities neither had enough water (92.9%) nor treated drinking water (71.4%); sizeable numbers did not store drinking water safely; threw waste water away (92.9%) and solid waste in the rubbish pit (78.6%); where there are no toilets, they relieved themselves in the veld; children <12 years generally did not use toilets (71.4%). Communities washed hands after changing baby's nappy (78.6%), before handling food (57.1%), before eating (50.0%), after a visit to the toilet (92.9%), after touching animals (57.1%) and when they wake up (92.9%); and did not take a full body wash daily (71.4%). The results have implications for policy-makers, programme planners, academics and practitioners in the field.