In the rural healthcare setting of low-income countries, water may be used for patients taking medication or general consumption; general clinic cleaning; handwashing for staff, patients and visitors; and dilution of chlorine solutions for disinfection. Accessible toilets and adequate supplies of soap for handwashing are also needed. The focus of this research was to explore access to water, sanitation and hygiene in rural, government front-line-village health clinics in Ntcheu District, Malawi. The study collected data from 81 clinics using an observational checklist and interviews with clinic personnel. Nearly all clinics (80/81; 99%) reported having a year-round water source. Only 11% of clinics (9/81) had water and soap for handwashing. While all clinics were observed to have pit latrines for patients, staff and visitors, only 42% (34/81) of clinics would be categorized as having improved sanitation facilities, including having a drop-hole cover, roof and privacy, but not necessarily separate facilities for staff and patients or visitors. Furthermore, pit latrines in this study could not be safely emptied, with human excreta mixed with medical waste, and poor latrine-construction standards. The results of this study demonstrate the need for understanding front-line health services offered at a permanent or semipermanent shelter, within the household of the provider, or in an open space, compared to larger healthcare facilities. While this study found that rural village health clinics generally had adequate coverage of water and sanitation, and better access than reported nationwide in rural households or schools, handwashing facilities remain an important gap to be filled.

在低收入国家的农村医疗机构中，服用药物或一般消费的患者可以用水。一般诊所清洁；为员工，患者和访客洗手；和稀释氯溶液进行消毒。还需要无障碍厕所和足够的肥皂水来洗手。这项研究的重点是探索马拉维Ntcheu区的农村，政府一线村卫生所的水，卫生设施和卫生条件。该研究使用观察性清单和与诊所人员的访谈收集了来自81家诊所的数据。几乎所有诊所（80/81； 99％）都报告有全年的水源。只有11％的诊所（9/81）可以用水和肥皂洗手。虽然观察到所有诊所都为病人，工作人员和访客配备了厕所，只有42％（34/81）的诊所被归类为卫生设施得到改善，包括井下盖，顶棚和私密性，但不一定是为员工和患者或访客提供单独的设施。此外，由于人类排泄物与医疗废物混合，且厕所建设标准不佳，因此无法安全清空本研究中的坑厕。这项研究的结果表明，与较大的医疗机构相比，有必要了解在提供者的家庭内或在开放空间中的永久性或半永久性庇护所提供的一线医疗服务。尽管这项研究发现，乡村卫生所一般都具有足够的水和卫生设施，并且比全国报道的农村家庭或学校有更多的卫生设施，