Improved water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) are significant in preventing diarrhea morbidity and mortality caused by protozoa in low- and middle-income countries. Due to the intimate and complex relationships between the different WASH components, it is often necessary to improve not just one but all of these components to have sustainable results. The objective of this paper was to review the current state of WASH-related health problems caused by parasitic protozoa by: giving an overview and classification of protozoa and their effect on people’s health, discussing different ways to improve accessibility to safe drinking water, sanitation services and personal hygiene behavior; and suggesting an institutional approach to ensure improved WASH. The findings indicate that Giardia and Cryptosporidium are more often identified during waterborne or water-washed outbreaks and they are less sensitive than most of the bacteria and viruses to conventional drinking water and wastewater treatment methods. There are various institutions of control and prevention of water-related diseases caused by protozoa in developed countries. Unfortunately, the developing regions do not have comparable systems. Consequently, the institutional and systems approach to WASH is necessary in these countries.

Rural water supplies have traditionally been overshadowed by urban ones. That must now change, as the Sustainable Development Goals calls for water for all. The objective of the paper is to assess the current access to and the perceived water quality in villages with various types of water supply. The survey was carried out during July–December 2017 in four villages in central Kazakhstan. Overall, 1369 randomly selected households were interviewed. The results revealed that even though villagers were provided with tap water, significant numbers used alternative sources. There were three reasons for this situation: residents’ doubts regarding the tap water quality; use of other sources out of habit; and availability of cheaper or free sources. Another problem concerned the volume of water consumption, which dropped sharply with decreased quality or inconvenience of sources used by households. Moreover, people gave a poor estimate to the quality and reliability of water from wells, open sources and tankered water. The paper suggests that as well decentralization of water management as monitoring of both water supply and water use are essential measures. There must be a tailor-made approach to each village for achieving the Sustainable Development Goal of providing rural Kazakhstan with safe water.

Introduction. The relevant direction of studying the physical development of children and adolescents is the study of the dynamics of changes anthropometric indices from generation to generation. Systematic monitoring of regular indices in different regions is necessary. Material and methods. A one-step study of anthropometric indices of 2990 healthy boys of East Kazakhstan aged from 6 to 17 years was carried out in 2016. Children were clustered into age groups and ethnicity according to the principles of anthropology. The research of anthropometric indices was performed according to generally accepted methods in the morning. The chest circumference was measured during the pause period. The values of anthropometric indices of schoolchildren in 2016 were compared with the values of similar indices of children in 1986. Microsoft Office Excel 2007 was used to statistically process the data. Results. In modern boys of the Kazakh nationality there is a harmonization of growth and weight indices. The maximum weight gain and chest circumference increase occurs at the same time as the “growth jump,” while 1986 schoolchildren had an average annual body weight gain one year late after the start of the rapid growth period. In Russian boys born in 1986 the maximum weight gain is established at 14 years, and in modern children - at the age of 13 years. Conclusions. A comparative analysis of the multi-year dynamics of children’s anthropometric indices revealed acceleration trends reliably confirmed by the higher values of these indices in modern boys compared to their 1986 peers.There have been established national characteristics in the physical development of boys.

This study analyzes ten-year trends in the incidence of iron-deficiency anemia (IDA), diabetes mellitus (DM), and endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic disorders (ENMDs) among children and adolescents (0–17 years) in urban areas of Kazakhstan, considering socio-economic influences. A retrospective analysis of national data from 2013 to 2023 was conducted using linear regression to assess temporal trends and associations with health and economic indicators. Nationally, IDA incidence declined significantly: –278.4 cases per 100,000 among children aged 0–14 and –305.4 among adolescents aged 15–17 (both p < 0.001). ENMD incidence also decreased, particularly among adolescents (–154.0 per 100,000; p < 0.001). A 1000 KZT increase in household food expenditures was associated with a reduction in IDA incidence by 203–216 cases per 100,000 (p < 0.001), emphasizing the importance of accessible, nutritious diets. In contrast, DM incidence among adolescents rose by 1.7 cases annually per 100,000 (p < 0.05), possibly reflecting urbanization, lifestyle changes, and increasing obesity. DM and ENMD rates were significantly linked to consumption expenditures, pediatric bed availability, and endocrinologist density. These findings underscore the need for integrated, equity-focused prevention and improved healthcare access for children and adolescents amid ongoing demographic and nutritional transitions.

Introduction: Hand hygiene is a fundamental public health measure that plays a crucial role in preventing the spread of infectious diseases, particularly in communal settings such as schools. The COVID-19 pandemic heightened awareness of hygiene practices, emphasizing the need for sustained interventions to ensure long-term adherence and improved health outcomes among students. This research aims to examine the key factors that shaped students’ hygiene behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic and evaluate strategies for reinforcing and sustaining these practices over time.Methods: This study utilized a cross-sectional design to evaluate hand hygiene practices and influencing factors among 3,980 students from grades 5, 9, and 11 in the Karaganda region of Kazakhstan during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 26.0, with Chi-square tests assessing group differences and binary logistic regression identifying factors associated with students’ handwashing behaviors.Results: The results revealed that several factors, including school discussions on handwashing, school type (urban vs. rural), gender, grade level, and parental occupation and education, were significantly associated with improved handwashing behavior among students. Urban students, females, higher-grade students, and those with highly educated or employed parents demonstrated better hand hygiene practices, with school-based discussions on handwashing increasing the odds by 38%.Conclusion: This study underscores the critical role of educational interventions, sociodemographic factors, and infrastructure in shaping students’ hand hygiene behaviors, emphasizing the need for sustained efforts to reinforce proper handwashing practices through school-based education, policy support, and improved hygiene facilities.

Introduction. The relevant direction of studying the physical development of children and adolescents is the study of the dynamics of changes anthropometric indices from generation to generation. Systematic monitoring of regular indices in different regions is necessary. Material and methods. A one-step study of anthropometric indices of 2990 healthy boys of East Kazakhstan aged from 6 to 17 years was carried out in 2016. Children were clustered into age groups and ethnicity according to the principles of anthropology. The research of anthropometric indices was performed according to generally accepted methods in the morning. The chest circumference was measured during the pause period. The values of anthropometric indices of schoolchildren in 2016 were compared with the values of similar indices of children in 1986. Microsoft Office Excel 2007 was used to statistically process the data. Results. In modern boys of the Kazakh nationality there is a harmonization of growth and weight indices. The maximum weight gain and chest circumference increase occurs at the same time as the “growth jump,” while 1986 schoolchildren had an average annual body weight gain one year late after the start of the rapid growth period. In Russian boys born in 1986 the maximum weight gain is established at 14 years, and in modern children - at the age of 13 years. Conclusions. A comparative analysis of the multi-year dynamics of children’s anthropometric indices revealed acceleration trends reliably confirmed by the higher values of these indices in modern boys compared to their 1986 peers.There have been established national characteristics in the physical development of boys.