An investigation into the factors influencing the adoption of sanitation facilities in level III health centres in Kampala district

Abstract

Poor and inadequate sanitation in healthcare facilities is a source of the spread of diseases in the very places where treatment should be sought. It is estimated that about 15% of patients acquire one or more infections per hospital stay. Much as the SDGs address the standards for sanitation facilities in health centers, they are not well adopted to especially for middle- and low-income countries like Uganda. The main objective of the study was to investigate the factors that influence the adoption of sanitation facilities in health center III’s in the Kampala district. Specifically determining the rate of usage and status of the available sanitation facilities and establishing the barriers to their use. When adopted, results can be used in fighting the spread of infections in health facilities and also boost the current database on sanitation facilities in HCFs which is much needed for other studies. The methods used in data collection included the use of surveys, interviews in which questionnaires, user surveys and observation checklists were the tools used in gathering data from the patient caregivers, health care in-charges and the cleaning staff. The study was carried out in four-level III health care facilities in Kampala with a catchment population of 20,000people per HCIII and therefore a representative of government health centers in Kampala. The study's main findings indicate that; sanitation facilities in health center III’s are generally well adopted to considering the presence of improved sanitation facilities, usage rates, and satisfaction levels of users. However, the results also show that the insufficient provision of cleaning amenities like soap and toilet paper is one of the major barriers to using available sanitation facilities. In conclusion, more effort is still needed in ensuring better sanitation services in health care facilities as to a certain extent, it influences treatment-seeking behaviors of individuals and more data should be collected in different systems like private health centers if the world agenda of “sanitation for All” is to be achieved.