Assessment of Latrine use and Associated Factors among Rural Community Members in Chiro Zuria Woreda Particularly in Kilinso and Nejebas Kebele

Proper disposal of human excreta remains a challenge especially in low income countries including Ethiopia. About 80% of the disease burden is related to poor sanitation and hygiene in the country. Cognizant of challenges, health extension program has been widely implemented longer. Latrine facility coverage of study area was lower and its utilization remained also lower. Level of latrine utilization and factors associated with latrine utilization of the study area were not known. Therefore, evidences were required to show the current situation of latrine utilization in the study area. Taking in to account this the current study conducted to determine latrine use and associated factors among the rural community members in Chiro Zuria woreda. Latrine facility coverage is increasing since Health Extension Program started, whereas less attention to quality and utilization of latrine facilities in rural Ethiopia. This research was conducted at Nejebas and Kilinso Kebele in 2018. The data was collected through interviews and questionnaire. 69 SHHs were identified in random sampling technique from each Kebele for this research which also includes direct field observation. Qualitative data was collected through Key Informant Interviews to complement the household survey findings. The study revealed that the current sanitation situation in the study area is poor. Majority of privately owned latrine were made up of mud and wood, which are low quality creating bad smell to the surrounding areas. The daily demand and supply of the potable water is not balanced. Pit latrines are imposing negative impact of the environment and health of public. Among the community there is poor awareness about sanitation and health. Increasing of construction price and poor coordination between sectors are the problems related to the sanitation situation in the study area. The study concludes that all efforts geared towards up scaling latrine use in the study are must tackle the entire underlying barrier. The aim of this study was settled out to determine latrine use and associated factors among the rural community members in Chiro Zuria woreda: Nejebas and Kilinso kebele.