Households’ Latrine Status in Fishing Communities of Malongo and Jagusi Sub Counties, Mayuge District

Abstract

Introduction

This study examined the households‟ latrine coverage and latrine use associated factors among the fishing communities in Malongo and Jagusi sub counties Mayuge district.

Objectives

Specifically, the study established the level of latrines coverage among the fishing communities, examined the knowledge and practices of the fishing communities regarding latrine use in Malongo and Jagusi sub counties Mayuge district, established the factors that promote or hinder latrine use in the fishing communities, and established the relationship between the associated factors and latrine use.

Methodology

The study used cross-sectional designs with a combination of qualitative and quantitative research approaches where by data was collected using questioners, ket informant interviews and FGDs.

Results

The study findings revealed that out of the six socio-demographic variables investigated, four had a statistically significant relationship with latrine use, they included gender (p=0.0114), occupation (p=0.001), education (p=0.001), and average monthly income (p=0.011). The study findings revealed that all the 5 knowledge related factors on the causes of diarrhea which were studied had a statistically significant relationship with latrine use. Latrine use was higher among households that had the correct knowledge on: human faeces being the principle source of diarrhea (p=0.022) and children's feaces can cause diarrhea (p=0.043). Further still, latrine use was higher among households that had the correct knowledge on open defecation being able to cause diarrhea (p=0.013) and risk of getting diarrhea if neighbor was not using latrines (p=0.042) and the causes of diarrhea (p=0.041). The results showed that latrine use was found to be higher among households that had latrines with a convenient source of water and soap around the latrine (p=0.015) for hand washing and those that presented adequate conditions of privacy (p=0.011). However, there was no significant relationship found between latrine that hygienically separate human excreta from contact and latrine use (p=0.61) and latrines that presented adequate conditions of cleanliness (p=0.42). The study findings showed that obstacles to latrine construction had a statistically significant association with latrine use (p=0.002). The study revealed that latrine use was hindered by obstacles such as culture, lack of money, lack of land, lack of construction skills, and unsuitable hydro-geological conditions. The findings indicate that majority of the households who were not using latrines reported lack of land as the major obstacle 210(53.0%). In most cases these results were supported by the FDG participants. In addition, the views of the FDG participants were similar to the findings above.

Conclusion

The study concludes that much as the number of households with latrines was relatively higher, latrine coverage is still low. In the same line latrine use is also still low. The study also concludes that despite the low use of latrine coverage in the study area, the people‟s knowledge about latrine relatively high. The study further concludes that several factors influence both latrine availability and use. These factors were categorized as Socio-demographic /economic, community related, institutional, and geographical factors. The study recommends that among others there is need to develop information, education communication (IEC) materials for communities regarding pit construction and use.

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