Household latrine use, maintenance and acceptability in rural Zinder, Niger.
We conducted a survey in rural Niger to assess use, maintenance and acceptability of household latrines one year after a subsidized promotion project. Standard interviews were conducted with 200 randomly selected project participants and a visual latrine inspection. Before the project, 21.5% (43/200) of households had latrines. After the first year, 100% of these households had at least one latrine. Overall, 2577 household latrines were built in the 50 targeted villages. Latrines were 'always' used by 92.5% of adults and 55% of children in the households. The latrines were adequately maintained: superstructure 93%, covers 74.5%, clean 70%. The main perceived advantages of latrine ownership were proximity/easy access (59.5%) and privacy (22.5%). The project demonstrated that the implementation of a household latrine promotion project is acceptable and feasible in rural Niger. Future promotion projects may develop local sanitation expertise and focus on perceived benefits--proximity and privacy--rather than health.
Diallo
Mamadou O
MO
The Carter Center/Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30307, USA. mouda92@hotmail.com
Hopkins
Donald R
DR
Kane
Mohamed S
MS
Niandou
Seydou
S
Amadou
Ali
A
Kadri
Boubacar
B
Amza
Abdou
A
Emerson
Paul M
PM
Zingeser
James A
JA
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003258:Consumer Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D008297:Male; D009548:Niger; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012499:Sanitation / Q000592:standards; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014038:Toilet Facilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014141:Trachoma / Q000517:prevention & control*