Tossoulegue, Symphorose S. B. <br/><br/>
Assessment of the level of access to safe potable water, hygiene and sanitation in households in the commune of Bonou in southern Benin in 2020 

 -  2025.<br/>							 
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<br/><br/> Access to water, hygiene, and sanitation (WASH) is essential to the health of populations, particularly in rural areas. In order to assess the level of access to WASH services and the associated sociodemographic factors, a cross-sectional study was conducted in 2020 among 361 households in the commune of Bonou, a rural commune in Benin. Data were collected using a questionnaire via Kobocollect, followed by descriptive analyses, and a multivariate logistic regression. The results revealed that only 35.5 % of households in our study had access to at least one improved water source, available in all seasons, and located less than 30 minutes from their home (0.8 % had a safely managed service and 34.6 % had a basic service); 19.4 % of households had access to a basic service regarding hygiene and sanitation, and 0.6 % of households had a basic service.The multivariate analysis shows that gender, education level, daily income, and the origin of households are associated with access to improved source water. Although a robust methodology was adopted, the cross-sectional nature and quantitative approach used do not allow for the interpretation of causes, nor the cultural, economic, and institutional barriers that hinder households’ access to basic WASH services. Qualitative and longitudinal surveys will provide greater detail on these aspects.