Barriers and opportunities for cleanliness of shared sanitation facilities in low-income settlements in Kenya
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Date
2020
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BMC Public Health
Abstract
Background: The sharing of sanitation facilities is a common practice in low-income areas in sub-Saharan Africa.
However, shared sanitation is currently categorized as a limited sanitation service, and may therefore not count
towards meeting the global goals. These shared facilities are often the only option available for most residents in
low-income settlements, and improving their cleanliness and overall management is key to reducing open
defecation and risk of disease. This study sought to investigate barriers and opportunities for improved cleanliness
of shared sanitation facilities in low-income settlements of Kisumu city, Kenya.
Methods: Thirty-nine in-depth interviews and 11 focus group discussions were held with residents – mainly
tenants and landlords – of a low-income settlement in Kisumu. Analysis followed a thematic approach to define the
problem, specify the target behaviour and identify the changes needed.
Results: Sanitation facilities were mainly pit latrines, typically shared among landlords and tenants. Participants
singled out behavioural (poor use of the shared toilets) and social (lack of cooperation in cleaning) challenges that
led to unclean shared toilets. Available opportunities for improvement included instituting clear cleaning plans,
improving communication among users, and enhanced problem-solving mechanisms between landlords and
tenants. These approaches could form the basis for designing intervention strategies for improving the cleanliness
of shared sanitation facilities.
Conclusion: The results highlight the need to focus on social aspects for improvement of cleanliness in shared
sanitation facilities in low-income settlements. Through a social approach, shared sanitation facilities can be
managed appropriately to provide the millions of low-income residents in Kenya an opportunity to access
sanitation. This study provides further evidence on approaches for improved management of shared sanitation
facilities in line with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Joint Monitoring Program’s (JMP) recommendation for
high quality shared facilities.
Description
Keywords
Behaviour change, COM-B, Kisumu, Low-income settlements, Landlords, ACE: Energy and Environmental Sustainability, University of Energy & Natural Resources, Power, Ghan, Kwaku A. Adje