Water and sanitation hygiene standards compliance among trackers, tourist guides and porters at volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

ABSTRACT Graphical abstract showing that, in Volcanoes National Park, WASH knowledge among staff is generally higher than implementation, while WASH-FIT assessment reveals infrastructure gaps at patrol posts. The figure links these findings within a One Health framework, highlighting implications for humans, animals, and the shared environment. Background: Park workers and tourists share the same ecosystem with endangered species, such as gorillas and golden monkeys, in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park (VNP). This study evaluates the knowledge and implementation of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices among field staff at VNP, emphasizing the importance of One Health principles for maintaining a sustainable ecosystem. It assesses the compliance of infrastructure at the Park's patrol posts to ensure a safe health environment. Methods: A cross-sectional study assessed VNP staff's WASH knowledge and implementation through surveys. Direct observations were conducted using a WASH-FIT checklist to evaluate infrastructure compliance at patrol posts. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS, Chi-square tests, and logistic regression. Results: A total of 233 participants were surveyed. Knowledge levels varied by professional category, with guides scoring the highest (median = 94.7%). WASH implementation levels were consistently lower than knowledge levels across all professions. A significant positive correlation was found between knowledge and implementation. The WASH-FIT checklist identified notable deficiencies in infrastructure at patrol posts. Conclusion: Poor WASH infrastructure contributes to weak implementation, underscoring the need for integrating One Health approaches in WASH practices at VNP. Collaboration among park management, researchers, and local communities is vital for sustainable improvement.