A Cross-sectional Study on Morbidity Prevalence, Sanitation and Hygienic Behaviour of Sri Lankan Tamil Refugees in Tamil Nadu

This study aimed to investigate the hygienic behaviour of Sri Lankan Tamil camps living with refugees in Tamil Nadu. Variables such as smoking habits, alcohol consumption, tobacco/pan consumption, the consumption of regular meals in time, the consumption of boiled/filtered water, the consumption of a sufficient amount of water, the ability to wash one’s hands before eating, the use of a regular bath, regular nail cutting, brooming and sweeping the house daily, and the use of washed clothes every time were included in the assessment. The sample consisted of 338 Sri Lankan Tamil refugees living in camps in Tamil Nadu. Data were collected through structured interviews (close-ended questionnaire) and observation method. The results revealed that the majority of refugees did not have a smoking habit (71.3%), while only a small percentage consumed alcohol (19.5%) or tobacco/pan (20.4%). Furthermore, the majority of refugees consumed regular meals in time (62.7%), whereas the smallest share of respondents consumed boiled/filtered water (37.3%). However, only 42.3% of the refugees consumed a sufficient amount of water daily, while 68% reported not washing their hands before eating. In terms of personal hygiene habits, the majority of refugees reported taking a regular bath (64.2%) and cutting their nails regularly (50.3%). However, only 56.3% of the refugees reported brooming and sweeping their house daily, and a mere 48% reported using washed clothes every time. These findings indicate that while some hygienic behaviours are practised by a majority of refugees, there is still room for improvement in certain areas. Further analysis revealed that there was a significant association between alcohol consumption and tobacco use and the prevalence of diseases. The findings suggest the need for interventions and education programmes to promote better hygienic practices, particularly in areas such as drinking boiled water and ensuring household cleanliness. Furthermore, the results highlight the importance of access to clean water and a healthy diet in promoting overall hygiene among refugee populations.