An Assessment of Strategies for Addressing Open Defecation Practices in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

Open Defecation (OD) remains a major socio-economic, behavioral and public health challenge in many developing countries including Nigeria. This practice contributes to groundwater contamination, disease burden and hindered progress towards SDG 6.2, which aimed at access to achieving adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all by 2030. The study analyzes the strategies to eliminate open defecation in rural and urban areas of Kaduna State, Nigeria, with a view to informing effective interventions to address this critical public health issue. A multi-stage sampling technique was adopted in conducting this research. The first stage involved stratified sampling using the senatorial boundaries. The second stage was selection of three (3) LGAs from each senatorial district. The third staged included the random selection of respondents from each strata of the study. A total of Three hundred and ninety-one (391) respondents participated in the survey. Data were acquired from both primary and secondary sources. Three (3) LGAs covering both rural and urban LGAs were selected. The Findings revealed that, 50% of the respondents between 18 and 29 age group defecate in the open. 90% of the respondents earned below ₦100,000 monthly while another 70% lacked knowledge on open defecation. The result further revealed that approximately 40% of the respondents reported that open defecation is highly prevalent in their community. Low income was reported to be the major factor that influences open defecation constituting about 40% of the respondents. Furthermore, 65% of the respondents do not have access to proper sanitation facilities. Hence, the study concluded that the attainment of ODF status in Kaduna State by 2030 is quite difficult. The study recommended the Government should adopt sanitation marketing to empower communities take charge of their sanitation needs through awareness campaigns, encouraging behavior change and promoting the construction of toilets.