30 provinces at high risk of polio outbreaks, Ministry of Health: Stop open defecation

The health impact of open defecation not only has the potential to transmit the polio virus and other diseases in the body, but also has an impact on women’s well-being.

Results of a review of studies titled, Health and social impacts of open defecation on women: A systematic review shows, open defecation has a significant impact on women’s health and well-being.

It has been explained that there is a vulnerability of pregnant women where open defecation can actually harm the mother and the developing fetus.

The risk of maternal complications increases due to poor hygiene, aggravated by malnutrition. This is because there is transmission of infection fecal-oral in pregnant women. This infection is in the form of viral or bacterial transmission through the digestive tract which is transmitted through the mouth.

The study, published in BMJ Public Health in 2019, highlights the most researched health risks in the context of open defecation related to infected human feces containing several harmful organisms.

Improper disposal of human waste also increases the risk of exposure to pathogens that can have significant health impacts such as communicable diseases (diarrhea, typhoid, cholera) and viral infections.

Open defecation is a problem that can affect anyone, but women are often more at risk of experiencing various health vulnerabilities. The interaction between disease and malnutrition can further create a “vicious cycle” that exacerbates infections and worsens women’s health, especially in pregnant women.