Knowledge, perceptions and attitude towards open defecation and its health implications among residents in Ussa Local government Area, Taraba State, Nigeria

Background and Objective: Open defecation is the human practice of defecating in the environment rather than into a toilet. Open defecation is a public health menace and causes health problems such as diarrheoa, typhoid, cholera, etc., in areas where people defecate places other than toilets or latrines. This study was aimed at determining the knowledge, perception and practice of open defecation among residents in Ussa Local Government Area of Taraba State, Nigeria. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study design was adopted and used for this study. Data were generated using a semi-structured questionnaire and an observational checklist. Data generated were collated, synthesized and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results: The results obtained in this study showed that 260 (67.7%) had good knowledge of open defecation while 124 (32.3%) recorded poor knowledge. Most respondents 202 (53.6%) demonstrated positive perception about open defecation while 182 (46.4%) exhibited negative perception. Over two-third of the respondents 302 (78.6%) respondents indicated that they have defecated at least once in open space and only 110 (28.6%) have access to a toilet facility. Perceived health problems associated with open defecation practice as indicated by the respondents were mainly; malaria 341 (88.8%), typhoid 221 (57.6%) and cholera 210 (54.7%). It was also observed that 274 (71.4%) households do not have a toilet facility, 200 (69.0%) lack access to improved source of water supply, 356 (92.7%) household lack a drainage system, 308 (80.2%) had bushes around their surroundings, 256 (66.7%) had odour of excreta in the surrounding and 239 (62.2%) lack a proper waste storage facility and exhibit poor waste disposal. Conclusion: Findings in this study showed that respondents had good knowledge and exhibited positive perception about open defecation, but majority of the proportion confirmed to have defecated in open fields.