title: Latrine utilization and associated factors among people living in rural areas of Denbia district, Northwest Ethiopia, 2013, a cross-sectional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In Ethiopia up to 60% of the current disease burden is attributable to poor sanitation. Latrine facility coverage is increasing since Health Extension Program started, whereas less attention to quality and utilization of latrine facilities in rural Ethiopia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A community based cross-sectional study design with multistage sampling technique was employed to collect data from total of 806 households.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 801 households with latrines were assessed for their latrine utilization status. The extent of latrine utilization among 490 (61.2%) households was satisfactory. Presence of ≤5 children (AOR: 0.379, 95% CI :( 0.196, 0.732)), job of mothers (being farmer) (AOR: 0.321, 95%CI :( 0.136, 0.757)) and rare cleaning frequency (AOR: 0.055, 95% CI :( 0.005, 0.620)) were a factor negatively associated with latrine utilization. Whereas the presence of secondary school children (AOR: 3.739, 95% CI (1.884, 7.419), educational status of mothers (AOR: 2.437, 95% CI (1.032, 5.756), latrine constructed for the second time (AOR: 2.676, 95% CI :( 1.352, 5.299)), presence of door (AOR: 3.201, 95% CI: (1.437, 7.130)), the hygienic condition of latrine (AOR: 4.327, 95% CI: (2.05, 9.134)) were factors positively associated with latrine utilization.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Latrine utilization rate of household latrines was satisfactory. The presence of ≤5 years children, job of mother (farmer), educational status of mothers, presence of secondary school student, the presence of the door, frequency of latrine construction, and hygienic condition of latrine were significant predictors of latrine utilization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Yimam Tadesse
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Yimam
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Kassahun Alemu
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Gelaye
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Daniel Haile
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Chercos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005002:Ethiopia; D005260:Female; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014038:Toilet Facilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: Latrine utilization; hand washing facility; hygiene; sanitation