Smile Latrine Project Baseline Survey: Rationale for Improving Sanitation Standards in Homa Bay County, Kenya

The purpose of this study is to present a rationale for improving sanitation standards in Kakang’utu West Community Unit, in Kabondo Kasipul Constituency, Homa Bay County. The recommendations presented follow research findings that assessed the quality of the latrine features as observed by the data collectors. Many of the latrines were not only a health hazard, but were dangerous structures that covered deep pits and put users in great risks. In our findings, we sampled reasons for non-adoption of latrines, and found economic and socio-cultural reasons were key. This study lays out methods of intervention and presents the picture on the ground in a small location representing a sample of the entire constituency and county. The lessons learnt are formulated into a strategy for a successful improved sanitation promotion programme. Current sanitation practices in Kakang’utu West do not favour the need for latrine for the purpose of proper containment of human waste since many defecate in the bushes. The manner in which many latrines are constructed shows they are not priority features of the homesteads. They are not hygienic and pose great risks for diseases. Many are oblivious to the common knowledge that owning a latrine is associated with health benefits, better hygiene standards, and sanitation interventions that reduce diseases. In this study, we have aligned ourselves to understand why latrines are lacking in the area, taking into account factors like socio-cultural practices, and poverty levels. Community involvement and technology will be key assets as appropriate measures.

Focus group discussions among the Bai in China to inform a social marketing campaign for sanitation promotion

Local cultural norms, values, beliefs, and practices related to toilet use must be understood before planning household toilet promotion initiatives. Focus group discussions may be used to gain this understanding. This paper (1) reports the methods and results of focus group research used in southwest China among the Bai people group to inform a sanitation marketing campaign; (2) reports the advantages and challenges of a multi-cultural research team in focus group research; and (3) evaluates the usefulness of focus group discussions to inform the campaign.

Accelerating rural sanitation coverage in Ghana: what are the speed bumps impeding progress?

Progress towards the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) sanitation target has generally been slow-paced in Ghana. This is particularly the case in rural areas where access to improved sanitation has increased by just 4% within two decades. This paper examines defecation practices as well as constraints and existing opportunities at both household and institutional levels in promoting in-house toilet construction. The study was conducted in three rural communities in the Tain district and drew on key informant interviews, focus group discussions, field observations and face-to-face interviews of 400 residents selected from 249 houses. The results showed the scarcity of in-house toilets, which means consequently open defecation and use of communal toilets are common practices. The need for in-house toilet facilities is high among property owners without them, mainly driven by the desire for comfort and safety. Barriers at the household level constraining latrine installation include ignorance of low-cost technologies, the perceived high cost of latrines and the low priority given to their ownership. Analysis of expenditure patterns at the local assembly shows low priority afforded to sanitation promotion, which is constrained by low donor support, lack of requisite logistics and poor human resource capacity. Existing opportunities for accelerating sanitation coverage in these study communities are examined both at the household and institutional levels, and best practices discussed.

What role for local government in sanitation promotion? Lessons from Tanzania

Progress in rural access to sanitation is far behind agreed targets, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. As a result, new policies are being defined which shift the role of public investment from infrastructure to sanitation promotion, and give the responsibility of service delivery to local government. This paper analyses the role that local governments can have in sanitation promotion in this new framework. The implementation of the National Sanitation Campaign in Tanzania is analysed using the problem driven governance and political economy analysis methodology. Results show that direct implementation enhances local governments' commitment, but that not all functions carried out are suited to their capacities, motivations and constraints. The challenges identified emerge as a combination of technical weaknesses in the implementation of the adopted methodologies, the political economy of local governments, and the economic and social particularities of rural areas, which are similar to other countries across the region. Recommendations for a more effective service delivery model are made, balancing the role of local government between direct execution, coordination and supportive supervision. The fact of having a government programme with some direct implementation can bring about important differences in the national ownership of, and interest in rural sanitation, which are greatly needed.

Accelerating uptake of household latrines in rural communities in the Volta region of Ghana

This study was done in four rural communities in Ghana to assess uptake of household latrines. A total of 156 household interviews, 16 focus group discussions and 8 in-depth interviews with key informants were conducted. Study findings show that only 8.5% of households were using improved sanitation facilities with more than 75% of the households relying on open defecation and communal trench latrines. Knowledge of technological options was very limited and the cost for preferred latrines was unaffordable. Though health-related benefits motivated household latrine uptake, those related to personal security, privacy, social status and convenience were ranked higher. Sanitation uptake was constrained mainly by finances, poor sanitation promotion and general biophysical factors. High costs of latrine construction could be reduced by introducing cheaper technological options, using low-cost construction materials and labor contributions from households. Financing models like microcredit financing can also be explored and adapted for use in Ghana. We recommend the use of approaches aimed at behavior change while giving households a range of technological options such as community led total sanitation (CLTS). Hence, despite the low coverage of improved sanitation in rural Ghana, there exist real opportunities to accelerate sanitation uptake.