SOCIO-CULTURAL DETERMINANTS OF OPEN DEFECATION AMONG HOUSEHOLDS IN THE KINTAMPO NORTH MUNICIPALITY IN THE BONO EAST REGION OF GHANA.

Abstract

Open defecation is a long-standing public health issue, particularly in developing nations like Ghana. In Kintampo North Municipality, the practice is widespread and has significant health, environmental, social, and economic implications. This study investigated these determinants in Kintampo North using a cross-sectional design with both qualitative and quantitative methods. Data were gathered through structured questionnaires, focus groups, interviews, and observations. Systematic Random Sampling (SRS) was employed in sampling houses for data collection. A sampling frame of houses was obtained from the Kintampo Health Research Centre. Data collection instruments used in this study included focus group discussion (FGD) guide, key informant (KI) interview guide, structured questionnaire and checklist for latrine observations. Variables included attitudes, beliefs, social norms, sanitation knowledge, and emotional or physical experiences with open defecation. Participants were household heads, men, women, adolescents, health officers, chiefs, and community leaders, totaling 538 individuals. Male household heads comprised of 68.4% and 31.6% female household heads. Most participants (61.2%) had no formal education with nearly 60.2% of households lacked toilet facilities. High costs of constructing and maintaining latrines were reported by 94.8% and 74.4% of respondents respectively. While 31.4% belief that children’s faeces are harmless, another 91.3% is associating OD with ancestral customs. Majority of the respondents, (57.9%) intimated that a big challenge associated with latrine use was the possibility of a foul odour emanating from pits. Other Cultural beliefs like the idea that men and women should not share toilets, feces should not remain in homes, and certain groups like children or menstruating girls should not use toilets also contributed. Open defecation, underpinned by socio-cultural factors is a pervasive practice in the Kintampo North Municipality with far-reaching consequences on the social, cultural, economic, environmental, health and general well-being of the people. These findings highlight the need for culturally sensitive sanitation policies, community-led infrastructure development, strict enforcement of sanitation laws, and engagement with traditional leaders to curb open defecation effectively.