Chapter One — 1.1 Background to the Study

In recent years, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Interventions has emerged as a critical factor shaping prevalence of non-communicable diseases across organizations operating in and around Selected States in South-South Nigeria. As institutions grapple with the pressures of globalization, regulatory reform, and shifting stakeholder expectations, understanding how water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions relates to prevalence of non-communicable diseases has become an important area of both scholarly and practical concern.

Within the context of Selected States in South-South Nigeria, this relationship carries particular significance. Organizations in this setting operate under a distinct combination of economic, regulatory, and market conditions that may amplify or dampen the effect of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions on prevalence of non-communicable diseases, making a context-specific inquiry both timely and necessary.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Despite a growing body of literature on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions, there remains limited consensus on the precise nature of its relationship with prevalence of non-communicable diseases, particularly within Selected States in South-South Nigeria. Many organizations continue to make decisions about water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions without a clear, evidence-based understanding of how those decisions ultimately affect prevalence of non-communicable diseases. This gap between practice and empirical understanding is the central problem this study seeks to address.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

1. To examine the effect of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Interventions on prevalence of non-communicable diseases in Selected States in South-South Nigeria.
2. To assess the extent to which water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions influences prevalence of non-communicable diseases within the study area.
3. To identify the challenges associated with water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions in relation to prevalence of non-communicable diseases.
4. To recommend strategies for optimizing water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions in order to improve prevalence of non-communicable diseases.

1.4 Research Questions

1. What is the effect of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions on prevalence of non-communicable diseases in Selected States in South-South Nigeria?
2. To what extent does water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions influence prevalence of non-communicable diseases within the study area?
3. What challenges are associated with water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions in relation to prevalence of non-communicable diseases?
4. What strategies can be adopted to optimize water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions in order to improve prevalence of non-communicable diseases?

1.5 Significance of the Study

This study is significant to a range of stakeholders. For policymakers and regulators, the findings offer evidence to guide the design of frameworks that support healthier outcomes around prevalence of non-communicable diseases. For managers and practitioners within Selected States in South-South Nigeria, the study provides practical insight into how water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions can be better managed. Finally, it contributes to the academic literature on public health by extending existing knowledge into a specific empirical context, and offers a reference point for future researchers.

1.6 Scope of the Study

In terms of scope, this study confines itself to Selected States in South-South Nigeria, focusing specifically on how water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions relates to prevalence of non-communicable diseases within that setting. Findings are interpreted within these boundaries rather than as universal claims applicable to every organization or market.