Abstract :

The issue of sanitation has long existed and drawn criticism from figures like Mahatma Gandhi, who stated that sanitation in a community is more important than independence. Latrine utilization is among ways of ensuring that communities are safe and are not interacting with disease causing pathogens. However, the presence of latrines has not completely been a guarantee for their utilization especially among the pastoral communities. The objectives of this study was to examine the social and cultural factors influencing promotion of latrine utilization Laisamis Sub-County, Marsabit County, Kenya. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in two selected Wards in Laisamis Sub-County using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Quantitive data was collected from 177 households using questionnaires and analysed in descriptive and inferential statistics. Qualitative data was gathered from selected members from a focus group discussion. The data was analysed thematically and presented in narratives.  The social factors that showed a significant influence on latrine utilization included: perceived health benefits (p=0.000<0.05), accessibility of latrines (p=0.000<0.05), respect associated with latrines ownership (p=0.05) and social norms (p=0.000<0.05). Cultural beliefs relating to defecation in enclosed places such as toilets seemed to encourage open defecation despite latrine presence. Taboos surrounding sharing of latrines for men and women and among in-laws was reported to attract latrine avoidance especially when the available toilets were not separated. It was established that cultural practices for some groups such as morans discouraged toilets utilization. The influence of cultural taboos, barriers and beliefs on latrine utilization was significant (p<0.05). The study concluded that owning a latrine in Laisamis Sub-County did not guarantee use because of the influence of social and cultural issues. The study recommended community engagement and robust education campaigns using local leaders and influencers to dispel taboos and beliefs against latrine use. Context-specific behaviour change strategies could encourage positive habits and increase utilization of latrines in the sub-county.

---

Keywords :

Cultural factors, Latrine Utilization, Social factors.

---

References :

1. Abebe, A. M., Kassaw, M. W., Mekuria, A. D., Yehualshet, S. S., & Fenta, E. A. (2020). Latrine utilization and associated factors in Mehal Meda Town in North Shewa Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia, 2019. BioMed research international, 2020(1), 7310925.
2. Abraham, D. (2021). Latrine Utilization and Associated Factors Among Rural Households in Dega Damot Woreda, West Gojjam Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia(Doctoral dissertation).
3. Adhikari, R., & Ghimire, S. (2020). Open defecation free: where do we need to focus? Health Prospect, 19(1), 1-6.
4. Bagaja, O. M., et al. (2024). “Socio-Demographic Factors Associated with the Uptake of Community Led Total Sanitation: An Empirical Study among the Residents of Isiolo County, Kenya.” East African Journal of Health and Science 7(1): 80-94.
5. Busienei, P., Ogendi, G., & Mokua, M. (2019). Latrine structure, design, and conditions, and the practice of open defecation in Lodwar Town, Turkana County, Kenya: a quantitative methods research. Environmental health insights, 13, 1178630219887960.
6. Cha, M. H., et al. (2020). “Gastrointestinal and hepatic manifestations of COVID-19: A comprehensive review.” World journal of gastroenterology (19): 2323.
7. Chambers, K. G., Carrico, A. R., & Cook, S. M. (2021). Drivers of sustained sanitation access: social network and demographic predictors of latrine reconstruction after flooding disasters. Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology, 7(10), 1861-1872.
8. Community-Led Total Sanitation. (2024). Real time monitoring information system
9. De Shay, R. (2020). Community perceptions of a multilevel sanitation behavior change intervention in rural Odisha, India. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(12), 4472.
10. Eliud, G. K., Kirimi, L. M., & Mburugu, K. N. (2023). Influence of social factors on adoption of sanitation practices in rural areas: a mixed methods study in Nzaui, Kenya. The Pan African Medical Journal, 46.
11. Ellis, A., McClintic, E. E., Awino, E. O., Caruso, B. A., Arriola, K. R., Ventura, S. G., . . . Webb-Girard, A. (2020). Practices and perspectives on latrine use, child feces disposal, and clean play environments in western Kenya. The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene, 102(5), 1094.
12. Gorham, T. J., Yoo, J., Garabed, R., Mouhaman, A., & Lee, J. (2017). Water access, sanitation, and hygiene conditions and health outcomes among two settlement types in rural far North Cameroon. International journal of environmental research and public health, 14(4), 441.
13. -randomized controlled trial in Ghana. Social science & medicine, 245, 112705.
14. Kariuki, T. M., Kagendo, D., & Kaimuri, M. (2023). Influence of socio-economic factors on utilization of sanitation facilities by women In Mukuru Kwa Reuben informal settlement In Nairobi County. African Journal of Science, Technology and Social Sciences, 2(2), 108-121.
15. Kasiva, E. G. (2023). Influence of Social Cultural Factors and Latrine Status on Adoption of Sanitation Practices in Rural Areas a Case of Nzaui Sub-County, Makueni County, Kenya(Doctoral dissertation, Meru University of Science and Technology).
16. Kirujah, B., et al. (2023). “Faith-Based Water Sanitation and Hygiene Initiatives: Effects on Pastoral Livelihood in Marsabit County, Kenya.” Pan-African Journal of Health and Environmental Science 2(2): 108-124.
17. Kouassi, H. A. A., Andrianisa, H. A., Traoré, M. B., Sossou, S. K., Nguematio, R. M., Ymélé, S. S. S., & Ahossouhe, M. S. (2023). Review of the slippage factors from open defecation-free (ODF) status towards open defecation (OD) after the Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) approach implementation. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 250, 114160.
18. Kwiringira, J. (2021). Gender variations in access, choice to use and cleaning of shared latrines; experiences from Kampala Slums, Uganda. BMC public health, 14, 1-11.
19. Libby, J. A., Wells, E. C., & Mihelcic, J. R. (2020). Moving up the sanitation ladder while considering function: An assessment of indigenous communities, pit latrine users, and their perceptions of resource recovery sanitation technology in Panama. Environmental Science & Technology, 54(23), 15405-15413.
20. coastal Ecuador. The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene, 100(3), 733.
21. Mamo, B. G., Novotný, J., & Admasie, A. (2023). Quality of latrines and willingness to improve them in rural Ethiopia. Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development, 13(5), 339-349.
22. Maramraj, K. K., Subbalakshmi, G., Ali, M. S., Dikid, T., Yadav, R., Sodha, S. V., . . . Singh, S. K. (2020). A community-wide acute diarrheal disease outbreak associated with drinking contaminated water from shallow bore-wells in a tribal village, India, 2017. BMC public health, 20, 1-8.
23. Mbemba, E. B. (2022). The influence of social networks on behavioral change and promotion of basic sanitation services in Mzimba, Malawi. Mzuzu University,
24. (2023). Department of health-state of health in the county.
25. Nanycy J. K., Mutaru, A. M., Gbeti, C., Issahaku, A. R., Abubakari, A., & Wumbei, A. (2022). Socio-Cultural and Economic Determinants of Latrine Ownership and Unitilisation: A Community-Based Survey in Bole District of Ghana.
26. KNBS,2023, food security assessment report in Marsabit county.
27. Nunbogu, A. M., Harter, M., & Mosler, H.-J. (2019). Factors associated with levels of latrine completion and consequent latrine use in northern Ghana. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(6), 920.
28. Ougo, J. (2023). 2023 Short Rains Food and Nutrition Security Assessment Report.
29. (2020). Policy and practice pathways to addressing menstrual stigma and discrimination. The Palgrave handbook of critical menstruation studies, 485-509.
30. Survey, S. (2023). Marsabit County intergrated SMART survey for Nutrition assessment.
31. Tamene, A., & Afework, A. (2021). Exploring barriers to the adoption and utilization of improved latrine facilities in rural Ethiopia: An Integrated Behavioral Model for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (IBM-WASH) approach. Plos one, 16(1), e0245289.
32. Trivedy, A. and M. Khatun (2023). Water, sanitation, and hygiene condition in India: A state-level analysis. Population, Sanitation and Health: A Geographical Study Towards Sustainability, Springer: 275-296.
33. United nations (2015). general assembly of united nations 2015.
34. (2021). understanding, levaraging and undressing the unwritten rules
35. Walter, J. (2020). Cholera Outbreak in Marsabit County.
36. WHO, (2020) State of global sanitation.
37. (2023). Sanitation-related violence against women in informal settlements in Kenya: a quantitative analysis. Frontiers in public health, 11, 1191101.
38. World-bank (2021), global water security and sanitation.
39. Woyessa, E. T., Ashenafi, T., Ashuro, Z., & Ejeso, A. (2022). Latrine utilization and associated factors among community-led total sanitation and hygiene (CLTSH) implemented Kebeles in Gurage zone, Southern Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study. Environmental health insights, 16, 11786302221114819.
40. Zewdie, A., Dugassa, W., Mannekulih, E., Kaba, Z., & Wondimu, R. (2021). Latrine utilization and associated factors among households in SebetaHawas woreda, Oromia Special Zone, Ethiopia. European Journal of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, 7(2), 44-5.