The “Other” Cancún: Exploring Knowledge, Attitudes, And Practices Towards Water, Sanitation, Hygiene and Health in Two Ejido Settlements in Cancún, Mexico

Abstract

Hundreds of millions of people globally are without access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and face a higher likelihood of contracting waterborne illnesses like cholera, dysentery, and typhoid. While the majority of the global population without WASH tend to be those living in low-income nations (LICs), this problem also affects those in upper-middle (UMIC) and high-income countries (HIC), like Mexico and Canada. Despite reductions in the proportion of the population in UMICs and HICs without access to WASH since the inception of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the most marginalized and vulnerable communities continue to be without these essential services. This inaccessibility and need to cope with lack of services may result in the continued spread of waterborne illnesses at household and community levels. This research is set in the irregular zones of two ejido settlements in the peri-urban zone of the City of Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico. These zones are characterized by a lack of infrastructure and land regulation. The objectives of this research are threefold: to explore the WASH and health knowledge, attitudes, and practices of residents living in these two settlements; second, to investigate the WASH and health knowledge, attitudes, and practices of researchers and professionals who work in the space of WASH and health service provision; and third, to uncover the differences in understanding between residents and key informants of the facilitators and barriers to achieving safely managed services in irregular zones of ejido settlements. Results of semi-structured interviews with residents (n=18) and key informants (n=10) indicate a combination of social, economic, and legal factors that interact to create barriers to achieving access to safely managed services of WASH in these settlements. The issue of land regulation and therefore the inability to be recognized in urban planning was mentioned with the greatest frequency by both residents and key informants. The findings of this research can be utilized to elucidate the gaps and understanding between residents of these irregular zones and the professionals and researchers who actively work to improve access to WASH for all members of the population. Results can also be used to inform future interventions that are both culturally appropriate and sustainable.