FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH LATRINE UTILIZATION AMONG COMMUNITY IN WOLKITE TOWN IN GUBRE SUBCITY

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Lack of sanitation facilities is a serious health risk and obliges people to practice open defecation, thereby increasing the risk of disease transmission. While household access isimportant, community sanitation coverage is even more important to improve health around the world. This is best achieved through regular use of a well-maintained sanitation facility. The proper use of latrines can reduce the risk of diarrhea to almost the same extent as improved water supplies. OBJECTIVE: The study was designed to assess factors associated with latrine utilization among community in Wolkite town in gubre sub city. METHOD: A community based cross- sectional study was conducted in all households that have latrine facilities in Wolkite town in gubre sub city. Lottery method will be used initially from the household sand by systematic random sampling was select the households with latrine facilities from selected Kebele. Data was collected using structured questioner via face-to-face interviews and on-the-spot observations of the latrines. The collected data was checked for completeness. The data was coded and entered to be analyzed using the software SPSS version 20.RESULT: the prevalence of latrine utilization was 75.45% (95% CI [0.459–1.441%]), whereas 24.55% (95% CI [0.588–1.475%]) of participants did not utilize latrines .It associated with educational status of the respondent [COR 2.558, 95% CI:1.094, 5.982], who had attended secondary & above [COR 2.372, 95% CI:1.143, 4.921], monthly income more than 1000 Ethiopian Birr (ETB), [COR 0.766, 95% CI: 0.598,0.982], family size [COR 0.478, 95% CI: 1.017, 2.198], latrine inside the compound [COR 1.755, 95% CI: 1.172, 2.630] pit latrine disposal as compared with their counterparts were more used latrine.CONCLUSION The utilization of latrine was low and still needs, to improve awareness of the community there is a need of health education programs regarding improved use of latrine, cleanliness of latrine, constructing latrine inside the compound and maintenance of latrine for the proper utilization including children should be considered. RECOMMENDATION: Depending on the results of this study, the followingrecommendations forwarded: Health extension Worker, Kebele Administrative, to the Community-based and kebele cadres at community level and To households use latrine properly and clean the latrine daily and which latrine need maintenance it should be maintain.