GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

Nutritional deficiencies and waterborne diseases are common among young children in rural Honduras due to limited access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) practices. This study examined WASH practices and their associations with child nutrition in 400 households across 27 rural communities in Intibucá. Anthropometric data and surveys informed analyses using linear models. Stunting prevalence was 18.0%, while 87.3% of households used piped water, but only 64.0% treated it. Flushing toilets were rare (11.5%), and latrines were shared by 4.2 people on average. Households without piped water had lower weight-for-age z-scores (-0.31, p=0.041), and latrine use was linked to lower length-for-age z-scores (-0.48, p=0.07). Findings highlight the importance of sanitation in child nutrition. Expanding access to piped water and sanitation is crucial for improving child health in rural Honduras.