Barriers to latrine use for defecation among mothers of children less than 59 months

Sherin Daniel; Jayaruban Subramanian; Emershia Sharmine; Roufi Williams; Shweta Efraim; Sunder Abhishek; Mahesh Nathan; Grana Pu Selvi Gnanaraj; Talluri Prasad; Gopal David Raj

doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20170292

Authors

Sherin Daniel World Vision India, Research and Development WASH, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Jayaruban Subramanian World Vision India, DME Specialist, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Emershia Sharmine World Vision India, Regional Technical Lead- Child Health and Nutrition, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Roufi Williams World Vision India, Technical Specialist WASH, Ranchi, Jharkand, India
Shweta Efraim World Vision India, Cluster Technical Lead WASH, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
Sunder Abhishek World Vision India, Cluster Technical Lead WASH, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
Mahesh Nathan World Vision India, Head WASH, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Grana Pu Selvi Gnanaraj World Vision India, Strategic Lead- Child Health and Nutrition, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Talluri Prasad World Vision India, Director- Evidence and Learning, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Gopal David Raj World Vision India, Head-Strategy and Research Management, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20170292

Keywords:

Barrier analysis, CLTS, Doer, Latrine, Mothers of children under 5, Non-doer

Abstract

Background: India has high concentration of its population who defecate outdoors or at least 620 million people who practice open defecation. This share has seen a slight decline in the past decade but with rapid population growth most Indians are being exposed to more human waste than ever before.

Methods: This paper aims to study what is preventing the mothers of children 0-59 months in using latrine for defecation at all times through barrier analysis survey. It is a doer and non-doer study, a doer is defined as mothers of children 0-59 months of age who defecate in a latrine at all times and a non-doer are mothers of children 0-59 months of age who do not defecate in a latrine at all times.

Results: Mothers who use latrine felt that having a latrine close to their residence or a private latrine makes it easy for them to use latrine every time for defecation. Clean environment was considered as an advantage among those who use latrine every time. They feel it is safer from harm if a latrine is used every time for defecation. Mothers who did not use a latrine felt very difficult to remember to use a latrine each time for defecation. Also those who do not use latrine feel that no toilet or a land to build one makes it difficult for them in making use of a latrine every time for defecation.

Conclusions: The determinants studied will help in carefully addressing the barriers through targeted activities to encourage and promote the use of latrine. Action-oriented programs like community led total sanitation (CLTS) for overall behaviour change, help mothers to grow increasingly confident about the use of latrine and in overcoming the hurdles in using latrine at all times and also avoid relapse into open defecation.

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