ACCESS TO WASH SERVICES AND RESIDENTS’ EXPERIENCES IN TWO CONTRASTING NEIGHBORHOODS OF ABIDJAN

Access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) is a fundamental determinant of public health in urban African settings. In Côte d'Ivoire, despite recorded progress, significant disparities persist between neighborhoods, particularly in the city of Abidjan. This study aims to document WASH access conditions among populations in two contrasting neighborhoods of Abidjan, namely Williamsville III (a precarious neighborhood) and Palmeraie (an affluent residential neighborhood). A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 403 households (197 in Palmeraie; 206 in Williamsville III) in April 2025. Data were entered in Microsoft Excel and analyzed using descriptive statistical methods in R 4.3.1. Although the water supply source was identical across households, service conditions differed markedly. Water supply interruptions affected 63.6% of households in Williamsville III, compared to only 11.6% in Palmeraie (p < 0.001). Regarding sanitation, septic tanks were the main wastewater disposal method in Palmeraie (80.7%) compared to 55.3% in Williamsville III, where street discharge was more prevalent (11.7% vs 3.6%, p < 0.001). Finally, daily waste collection was more widespread in Palmeraie (46.7% vs 25.7%, p < 0.001). These inequalities call for priority interventions targeting water service continuity and the improvement of sanitation infrastructure in precarious neighborhoods of Abidjan.