Sewage disposal methods in a sub-urban community in Edo state, Nigeria

Abstract

The sewage disposal method of household members in any community is an important determinant of their health status. This community based descriptive, cross-sectional study assessed the sewage disposal methods and factors associated with its practice among residents of Oluku a sub-urban community in Edo State, Nigeria. A structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire was the tool for data collection. A total of 300 household heads or their representatives participated in the study. A higher proportion of them 40.7% (122/300) were aged 25 – 34 years while their mean age was 31.1 ± 9.1 years. More than half 54.3% (163/300) of the respondents were males. The educational status showed that 50.7% (152/300) and 29.7% (89/300) respondents had secondary and tertiary level of education respectively. Only 22.3% (67/300) were skilled workers while 29.7% (89/300) were unemployed. Almost half 49.7% (149/300) used the pit latrine, 33.3% (100/300) used water closet, 14.3% (43/300) used VIP latrine while 2.7% (8/300) respondents practiced open defaecation as sewage disposal methods. There was a statistically significant association between the method of sewage disposal and the level of education (p < 0.001) and the occupational class of the respondents (p < 0.001). The predominant method of sewage disposal among residents of Oluku community was pit latrines and water closet. There is need for continued health education on the importance of proper sewage disposal in the community.