Environmental and socio-cultural factors contributing to open defecation among community members of Tukokur Cell, Kween ward in East Division, Kapchorwa municipality. A cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Background

This study aims to find out the environmental and socio-cultural factors contributing to open defecation among community members of Tukokur Cell Kween Ward in East Division, Kapchorwa Municipality.

 Methodology:

A cross-sectional study using a quantitative approach was employed, with data collected from 80 respondents using structured questionnaires and analyzed descriptively.

 Results:

Regarding environmental factors, dense vegetation's contribution to open defection privacy documented half of the respondents 40 (50%) agree, while 10 (12.5%) attribute it to other factors; (75%) of respondents said flooding affects sanitation practices, while 25% disagreed; 72.5% believe open defecation happens in flooding areas, with 6.3% citing water contamination. Most (87.5%) support building latrines in hilly areas, while 10 (12.5%) are against it. About 37.5% acknowledge climatic damage to latrines, and 6.2% cite other factors; 78.6% think soil composition affects latrine construction, and 17.04% (21.3%) do not agree with this view.

On social and cultural factors, 43.7% rarely used sanitation facilities, while 15% used them frequently. 52.5% used pit latrines, while 10% used dustbins; 62.5% feared facility costs, with only 6.2% reporting UTIs. Open disposal was noted by 75% while 25% did not, and 87.5% cited cultural influences, and 12.5% did not. Half (50%) cleaned latrines monthly, and 6.2% did so frequently, with fathers primarily responsible for construction (71.3%), and 3.8% mentioned community members as responsible. More than half (57.5%) allowed visitors to use latrines, while only 8.8% allowed children.

 Conclusion:

The study established that environmental, social, and economic factors affected open defecation behavior among the residents of Tukokur Cell.

 Recommendation:

The local communities, government, and community leaders should intervene and address the above factors to promote improved sanitation practices and reduce open defecation in the community.