title: Ecological sanitation coverage and factors affecting its uptake in Kabale municipality, western Uganda.
abstract: Ecological sanitation (Ecosan) is a relatively new concept being promoted in many developing countries to improve sanitation coverage and recycle nutrients in excreta for agricultural production. We conducted a cross-sectional study in Kabale municipality, western Uganda to determine the coverage of Ecosan and factors affecting its uptake. A total of 806 respondents were interviewed, randomly selected from 32 of 77 (42%) villages in Kabale municipality. We held six focus group discussions and 10 key informant interviews. Ecosan coverage was found to be 20% (163/806). The factors that were significantly associated with Ecosan coverage included education, occupation, religion and age. Our study found a relatively high Ecosan coverage in Kabale municipality compared to the targeted national coverage of 15% by 2018. Policy-makers and organizations in Ecosan development ought to take into consideration the influence of education and socio-economic factors for successful uptake of ecological sanitation.
authors.affiliation: Community Health and Behavioural Sciences , Makerere University School of Public Health , Kampala , Uganda.
authors.forename: Innocent K
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Tumwebaze
authors.forename: Christopher G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Orach
authors.forename: Joan K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Nakayaga
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Karamagi
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Luethi
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Niwagaba
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000383:Agriculture; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D057766:Policy; D011639:Public Opinion; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014454:Uganda; D018505:Waste Management / Q000379:methods*