Evidence-Based User Interface Sanitation Technology Selection for Urban Slums: A Multi-Criteria Analysis; The Case of Jimma Town, Ethiopia

Abstract

Slums are urban areas with insufficient public services and access to sanitation. Evidence-based selection of sustainable sanitation options is critical for addressing the sanitation crisis in slums. This mixed methods study was conducted in Jimma Town, southwest Ethiopia, to assess sanitation status and prioritize sustainable sanitation options for slums. The study was done in 2 phases: quantitative and qualitative. The quantitative cross-sectional household survey aimed to assess sanitation status and the qualitative exploratory method to explore alternative sanitation options and prioritize sustainable alternatives. A total of 310 households were chosen using systematic random sampling methods, of which 302 participated. Data was gathered through interviews, which were supplemented with questionnaires and observation checklists, and 2 focus group discussions (FGD) were held. First, FGD was with expertise in the sanitation sector, and the second was with community members. The state of sanitation was summarized, and multi-criteria analysis (MCA) was used to prioritize sustainable sanitation options. According to our findings, 68% of households had access to improved facilities, and 22.5% didn’t have any form of toilet facility. About 7 off-site and on-site user interface sanitation technology options were considered in the selection of alternative sanitation technologies, and each option was evaluated against 17 health, economic, social, technical, and environmental criteria. In the final analysis, the options with the highest scores for the setting were flush to septic tanks, compost toilets, and biogas toilets. Mobilizing such a promising sanitation option is recommended for future interventions.

Qualitative Analysis of Onsite Sanitation Challenges in an Urban Setting: The Case of Jimma Town, Ethiopia

“…These kebeles were purposeful, based on the previous surveys in town and the sanitation status. 18 , 21 All of the requested participants were interested in the research idea and participated voluntarily. All the participants gave their written informed consent before participating in the study.…”

Experimental evaluation of fresh human feces biogas and compost potential: Evidence for circular economy from waste streams in Ethiopia

“…It involves resource recovery from human excrement using acceptable, sustainable technology and environmentally appropriate waste recycling to conserve natural resources and human health [ 14 ]. Sanitation options such as compost toilets and biogas toilets have recently received attention as viable alternatives to sustainable sanitation in African cities [ [15] , [16] , [17] , [18] ]. However, the use of such alternatives as sanitation options in Africa is not at an advanced stage, and there is still a large potential for its development.…”

“…Safely managed sanitation is available to only 13 % of households in the town, and this access level was much lower in the town's urban slums [ 47 ]. Recent findings show that sanitation technology options are limited to pit latrines, which are not supported by the current urban expansion and land use [ 48 ]. The evidence from this study may contribute to the urban sanitation sector and stakeholders pooling evidence of alternative circular economies in the sanitation sector to develop biogas toilets as an alternative sanitation technology.…”