Factors influencing sustainability of open defeacation free environment in Nyando Sub-county, Kisumu County,Kenya

Abstract

The research examined factors which influence sustainability of Open Defeacation Free (ODF) condition in Nyando Sub-County in Kisumu County. The study concentrated on four research objectives namely: to assess social factors affecting sustainability of latrine use among the ODF guaranteed networks in Nyando Sub County; to survey how management practices impact toilet use among the ODF affirmed networks in Nyando Sub County; to assess how management practices influence toilet use among the ODF certified communities in Nyando Sub County; to evaluate the effect of behaviour change communication campaigns on sustainability of toilet use among the ODF certified communities in Nyando Sub County; and to determine how the training of sanitation promoters influences the sustainability of toilet use among the ODF certified communities in Nyando Sub County. The target population of the study was 145,000 individuals. The study utilized a descriptive research design. The target population for this study was families situated in 133 villages. The study utilized a multi-stage sampling design. First, the number of villages which were considered for the household overviews were randomly chosen from every one of the administrative ward in extent to their geographic size. Secondly, the number of families which were examined from every village was chosen through randomization. At last, at the family unit level, the leader of the family was chosen for the study. The Public Health Officers and Community Health Workers were sampled from each ward keeping in mind the end goal to fill in as a key informants. The study gathered information from 290 family units' heads and 10 key informants. The questionnaires were utilized to gather primary data and an organized discussion guide was utilized to gather information from key informants. The information was analysed by utilizing Statistical Package for Social Sciences package and the results were presented in Tables. The results demonstrated that almost all the inspected family units (97.9%) exhibited attention to the way that the village was announced by the government to be Open Defeacation Free. This demonstrates that the latrine usage norms had been profoundly established in communities that would previous accept open defecation as an ordinary practice. Key empowering agents to development and upkeep of sanitation facilities were found to include: Local accessibility of materials; affordable labour from self and family members; availability of land; construction aid from other community members, maintenance or repair; and external aid / subsidies on building and maintenance of sanitation facilities. Community based discussions were the most favored channels or handing-off information to communities in Nyando on the need to manage legitimate sanitation and cleanliness in their different communities. Conduct change campaign coordinators perceived brochures and flyers as the most effective methods for relaying messages on enhanced sanitation and cleanliness practices. Dedicated village leadership and community cohesiveness was advanced by key informants as a basic fixing in family ODF status. The village leadership was recommended to consist of family units, communities and even little scale independent providers with the goal that they can take part more adequately in the arrangement of sanitation facilities. It is suggested that utilization of sanitation promotion will urge the families to put resources into commercial materials promptly because of Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) triggering or later. The findings of the study will be helpful to the Ministry of Health staff, the County Governments in Kenya, the water and sanitation specialist cooperatives and nonadministrative associations.