Assessing Human Excreta Disposal Practices at Senchi Ferry in the Eastern Region of Ghana

Abstract

Background: In Africa, 300 million homes out of the two billion people do not have access to basic sanitation like most other rural communities in Ghana; the Asuogyaman District has significant sanitation and hygiene issues. Open defecation and unimproved latrine use amongst others are still in use in mots rural parts of Ghana. Objective: This study assessed human excreta disposal practices in Senchi Ferry, Asuogyaman District, Ghana, and identify factors associated with safe disposal of human excreta. Method: This study assessed human excreta disposal practices at Senchi Ferry in the Asuogyaman District of Ghana using a quantitative research design. A systematic sampling approach was employed to select 424 participants from households in the study area. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire that covers knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards human excreta disposal. Data was analyzed using Stata 17 analytic tool. Results: About 73.1 percent of Senchi Ferry houses have access to toilet facilities, Open defecation is still a common practice (29.0%), and a sizeable portion still lack access to toilet facilities. Different homes maintained very clean facilities (35.1%), while others reported dirty or very dirty conditions. Households with toilet facilities had lower diarrhea rates compared to those who did not have toilet facilities. Conclusion: A higher percentage of the respondents have access to toilet facilities in their household. Open defecation is still a common practice in the community. Households with higher number of occupants showed to have high number of diarrhea rates.