Description:
Background: The provision of improved sanitation facilities has a wide range of importance that
includes the reduction of diarrheal diseases and helminth infections to enhanced psycho-social
well-being and economic return backs. Target 6.2 of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) aims
to achieve universal access to safely managed services and to end open defecation globally by
2030. Realizing this universal target requires a well understanding of the factors that influence
the adoption and use of improved sanitation facilities at the household and individual level.
Objective:The study aims to assess the availability and utilization of improved sanitation and the
associated factors among households in Wonago Woreda, Southern Ethiopia.
Methods: A community-based cross-sectional household survey that utilized both quantitative
and qualitative method wascarried out in Wonago Woreda, Gedeo Zone; Southern Ethiopia from
March to April 2019. Systematic random sampling was appliedto select 634 respondents
allocated to each Kebele using probability proportional to size.Data was collected using a
pretested questionnaire. Quantitative data entry and analysis was carried out using Epi-info
version7.2and SPSS version 20, respectively. The association between the predictor and the
outcome variable was assessed using ordinary logistic regression and strength of association was
measured using Odds Ratio at P-value <0.05 and 95% confidence interval.
Result:Out of the 630 households included in the study, improved sanitation facilities were
available in 172(27.3%) of the households, of which 111(64.5%) of were properly utilized. In
this study,respondents’attitude towards sanitation facilities had an effect on both the availability
and proper utilization of improved sanitation facilities. This finding was confirmed in the focus
group discussions. The participants also discussed that illiteracy of household head was the main
barrier for the availability and consistency use of improved sanitation facilities.
Conclusion and recommendation: Availability and proper utilization rate of improved
sanitation facilities was not satisfactory, where both were much far below the National Hygiene
and Environmental Health Strategy’s of the country (2016-2020). Therefore, full involvement
and close collaboration of all stakeholders is needed to bridge the existing knowledge, attitude
and skill gaps within the community.