Assessment of the Impact of latrine Utilization on Diarrhoeal Diseases in the rural community of Hulet Ejju Enessie District, Amhara Regional State
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Date
2007-02
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Addis Abeba Universty
Abstract
Background: While household access is important, community sanitation coverage is even
more important to improve health around the world. This is best achieved through regular use
of a well-maintained sanitation facility. The proper use of latrines can reduce the risk of
diarrhea to almost the same extent as improved water supplies.
Objective: The study was designed to assess the impact of latrine utilization on diarrhoeal
diseases in the rural community of Hulet Ejju Enessie district.
Method: A community based cross- sectional study was conducted. All 824 households with
latrines from 10 selected kebeles were interviewed about latrine utilization and 370
households with < 5 children were interviewed about diarrhoeal diseases. A structured and
pre-tested questionnaire and checklist were used to collect data.
Results: Most (60.7%) households observed that their latrine utilization was satisfactory. The
extent of latrine utilization was significantly associated with presence of primary or secondary
school children in the house [AOR: 1.47, 95%CI: (1.04-2.06), perceived reasons for latrine
construction like self initiation [AOR: 2.89, 95%CI: (1.24-6.72) and seeing others [AOR:
10.07, 95%CI: (1.97-51.56), Climatic zone of ‘Kolla’ [AOR: 0.47, 95%CI: (0.29-0.74) and
‘Woyna-Dega’ [AOR: 0.55, 95%CI: (0.38-0.81), and duration of owning latrines by the
households [AOR: 2.13, 95%CI: (1.57-2.89). The occurrence of childhood diarrhoea was
statistically associated with the extent of latrine utilization in the bivariate analysis [AOR:
0.38, 95%CI: (0.17-0.87) but not significant in the multivariate analysis [AOR: 0.63, 95%CI:
(0.22-1.81). The occurrence of childhood diarrhoea was also significantly associated with the
duration of owning latrines by the households both in the bivariate [AOR: 0.29, 95%CI:
(0.13-0.65) and final step of multivariate analysis [AOR: 0.28, 95%CI: (0.12-0.66).
Conclusions and recommendations: The presence of primary or secondary school children
in the house, perceived reasons for latrine construction and duration of owning latrines are
factors affecting latrine utilization. Rather than the extent of latrine utilization, duration of
owning latrines had impacts on the occurrence of childhood diarrhoea. Using role model
sanitation intervention, well maintained and functional latrines, target oriented and regular
hygiene education promotion programs are very important strategies to bring about behavioral
change on latrine utilization as well to reduce the risk of the occurrence of childhood
diarrhoea.
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Keywords: Impact, latrine utilization, extent of latrine utilization, childhood diarrhoeal
disease, factors affecting latrine utilization
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Keywords
Impact, latrine utilization, extent of latrine utilization, childhood diarrhoeal disease, factors affecting latrine utilization