Latrine coverage and its utilisation in a rural village of Eastern Nepal: a community-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundA little more than 1/3rd of the rural households in Nepal have improved latrine facility. The government of Nepal is working towards making an open defecation free area all over Nepal. There is no data found in literature searches regarding the status of latrines and its utilisation in Nepal. This study aims to estimate the coverage and utilisation of latrine and its associated factors in a rural community of Nepal.MethodsWe conducted a cross sectional study in March 2015–September 2015 among 625 households in Hattimuda Village, Morang district in Eastern Nepal using semi-structured pre-tested questionnaire with observational checklists.ResultsOut of 623 households, 473 (76.9%) have latrine facilities. There is an increase in latrine coverage in Hattimuda by 37% (38.9% in 2011 to 75.9% in 2016). Majority of the latrines (89.9%) were functional, however 32.3% needs maintenance. The extent of latrine utilisation among those households with a toilet at home was satisfactory (94.3%). Presence of child below 5 years of age at home (OR 2.37, 95% CI 0.05–0.46), functional latrine (OR 27.37, 95% CI 6.84–109.45), frequency of cleaning (OR 3.66, 95% CI 1.09–12.29) and latrine constructed with self-initiation (OR 4.21, 95% CI 1.06–16.66) are factors significantly associated with the utilisation of the latrine.ConclusionsWhile the coverage needs to be increased, appropriate interventions to increase the utilisation of latrine needs to be in place so that the village moves closer to open defecation free (ODF) status. As other studies are not found from Nepal, the findings from this study can be used a reference for other rural areas of Nepal.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13104-017-2539-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Socio-demographic factors affecting utilization of toilet among peoples attending tertiary care hospital at Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh

“…Families not having under 5 year child, utilize toilet significantly more than those family having under 5 children in their family, such type of similar finding were also find out in study conducted by Biran et al and study conducted by Yimam et al 7,12 Regarding the association of family size with toilet utilization, this family size was not found associated with toilet utilization in present study and similar finding is also seen in study conducted by Budhathoki et al and study conducted by Koyra et al 8,14…”

“…12 Toilet utilization is more among younger age group peoples which is also seen in study done by Biran et al as this might be because of younger peoples aware about proper utilization and ready to change behaviour which is quite difficult in old age person. 12 In present study literate participant and literate family head utilized toilet more significantly as compare to illiterate participant and similar findings were seen in study conducted by Yimam et al, Debesay et al and Koyra et al while this association of education with toilet utilization was not found in study conducted by Budhathoki et al 7,8,13,14 Toilet utilization was significantly higher among the urban population as compare to rural population. This difference in toilet utilization may be because of higher socio-economic status and higher educational status of urban population.…”

“…The finding in present study revealed that the rate of toilet utilization in Bilaspur district was 83.9%, similar finding of 94.3% toilet utilization in Budhathoki et al, 92.1% toilet utilization was found in study conducted by Kema et al in Mtwara district of Tanzania, while found higher than the findings of Gedefaw et al community study having 51.7% toilet utilization and Yimam et al having 61.2% toilet utilization among rural people. [7][8][9][10] This higher rate in present study may be due to difference in residential status. The study findings also coincide with the finding in Swachhta status report 2016, published by national sample survey office (NSSO) regarding toilet utilization of 98.7% in urban area.…”

Assessing Drinking Water Quality at the Point of Collection and within Household Storage Containers in the Hilly Rural Areas of Mid and Far-Western Nepal

“…A study in India found that the practice of keeping livestock near the water storage can reduce the positive health impact of other sanitation interventions, such as a reduction in open defecation practices [28]. Achieving open defecation free (ODF) status has been one of the main focuses of Nepal's national government since the 2000s [29]. The situation is yet more complex in Nepal, where traditional and dominant religious culture greatly honors livestock ownership [30].…”

Open defecation free: where do we need to focus ?

“…Studies show that the unavailability of water facilities at toilets motivates people for open defecation and disuse of toilets [20]. Similarly, use of unprotected water for drinking is considered a major factor for diarrheal disease (21). Furthermore, mass media like television, radio, print media, internet, etc.…”