Household sanitation behaviors and practices in Byakabanda Sub-County in Rakai District

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the household sanitation behaviors and practices in Byakabanda sub-county in Rakai district. The specific objectives included determining the knowledge and attitudes of sanitation by household members, establishing their sanitation behaviours and practices, and examining the factors that hinder the adoption of sanitation practices. The study covered 197 households with each household being represented by an adult member. Other study participants included key informants in the area including village health teams (VHTs). Data were collected using structured questionnaires and interview guides administered to informant interviews. The results of the study showed that the majority (86.4%) had good knowledge, 5.8% had poor knowledge and 7.8% had average knowledge on household sanitation. In addition, the majority (71.3%) had a moderate attitude, 2.1% had a positive attitude and 26.6% had a negative attitude towards household sanitation behavior and practices. Concerning sanitation behaviors and practices among households, the majority had a toilet facility with a hand washing facility predominately a small jerrycan. In addition, the majority disposed off the feaces of children under 5 years in the toilet. The study also found that factors were hindering the adoption of household sanitation practices such as poverty (42.1%), followed by lack of knowledge (26.3%), laziness (15.8%), shortage of land (8.8%), and negative perceptions (7%) at an individual level. At cultural or religious beliefs, cultural beliefs that a child’ stool should not be disposed off in the toilet facility to prevent failure to grow teeth (38.5%), cultural beliefs that no one should go to the river at noon (30.8%) and Islamic principles of not using soap were some of the factors that hindered household sanitation.At the institutional or community level, weak law enforcement concerning household sanitation (90.9%), failure to provide sanitation services (6.1%), and unexemplary community leaders (3%). The study participants also pointed out what needs to be done to address the challenges to household sanitation and among these included local community sensitization about household sanitation by local leaders and VHTs (44.1%), Mass government sensitization on household sanitation (37.3%), and construction of public facilities (16.9%). The study recommends the need for the government under its ministry to develop a legal framework for household sanitation and implement it with the help of the police.