Thesis:

Determinants of sustainability of open defecation-free status among adult residents in mwingi west sub-county, Kitui county, Kenya

In nations with limited resources, community-led total sanitation, or CLTS, is a popular strategy for reducing open defecation in rural areas. Communities that participate in CLTS programs are deemed ODF once household-level latrine coverage hits the national guidelines' threshold (e.g., 100% in Kenya). This is accomplished by granting community members the power to build and maintain latrines on their own, without the assistance of funding from outside sources. Therefore, encouraging populations to use sanitation facilities and doing away with defecation in the open is the main objective of CLTS. It's unclear whether CLTS can permanently lower open defecation, though, as hygiene standards are rarely checked after populations are declared ODF. The study looked at the social, economic, environmental, and cultural factors that influence Mwingi West Sub County, Kitui County, adult residents' ability to maintain their ODF status over the long term. A representative sample size of 439 individuals was selected from the total Mwingi West Sub County study population using a formula created by Yamane (1967). Only adults who were Mwingi West sub-county citizens were included in the study; those under the age of eighteen were excluded. This investigation utilized a cross-sectional investigation design. Key informant interviews and targeted group discussions were utilized to gather qualitative data, while structured questionnaires were utilized to gather quantitative data. The gathered data was cleaned, arranged, coded, and examined using the SPSS software. Quantitative data was presented using tables and pie charts. An interview guide was used to collect the qualitative data, which was then analyzed thematically and presented narratively. The Mount Kenya University Ethics and Review Committee, NAcosti, and the appropriate Kitui County government offices granted their ethical approval for the research investigation to be conducted. Engagement in this research was entirely voluntary. The sustainability of open defecation-free status among adult residents in Mwingi West Sub-County, Kitui County was at 75.3% which was way low as compared to the Kenya national target of 100% open defecation-free status by 2030 which is in line with sustainable development goal number six. Study respondents aged 35-44(OR=2.9,95%CI=0.14-0.89), the presence of safety when using pit latrines(OR=2,95%CI=0.29-0.81), the provision of lighting when using pit latrines(OR=2.2,95%CI=0.27-0.75), the presence of a sanitation program(OR=2.2,95%CI=0.27-0.75), having a tertiary level of education(OR=4,95%CI=0.07-0.81), and the presence of incentives(OR=2.1,95%CI=0.24- 0.88) increased the odds of ODF status sustainability. While the absence of a sanction program in the community(OR=3.3,95%CI=1.43-7.48), earning below the poverty(OR=2.7,95%CI=1.49-4.98), and peasant type of occupation(OR=5.4,95%CI=2.38- 12.50), the presence of a collapsed toilet(OR=1.9,95%CI=1.6-3.1) reduced the odds of ODF status sustainability. The results of this investigation will help the Ministry of Health and other pertinent parties fulfill Sustainable Development Goal Number Six on safe equitable access to water and sanitation by increasing the sustainability of ODF status to all.