Level of adequacy of sanitation facilities in secondary schools in Katosi and Ntenjeru town councils

Abstract

This study was conducted to find out the types of sanitation facilities, assess the level of adequacy of sanitation facilities, and to examine students’ awareness of the consequences of poor sanitation facilities in secondary schools in Katosi and Ntenjeru town councils. A total of 140 respondents were selected from the two town councils of which 133 were students and 7 were school administrators. Both quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques were used and these were; students’ questionnaires used to collect data from the students in the sampled schools, interview guides for school administrators and observation checklists for the researchers used to identify the types, number and condition of the sanitation facilities. Findings from the study indicated that, most schools have ventilated pit latrines and cemented urinals. Few schools have anal cleansing materials, rain water tanks, water purifiers, bathrooms, scrubbing brushes, brooms, rakes, open dumping rubbish pits, dust bins and metallic containers for collecting rubbish. There is generally inadequate coverage of sanitation facilities with 42.9% for toilets and 46.4% for urinals. Though the respondents are quite aware of the consequences of poor sanitation, there are limited resources to establish the facilities and therefore this study recommends that school administrators together with the ministry of education and Mukono District leaders organize fundraising drives to avail such resources for the establishment of sanitation facilities.