Adequacy and usage of sanitation facilities at Kasenyi landing site, Katabi Subcounty, Wakiso District, Uganda

Abstract

This study was investigating on the adequacy and usage of sanitation facilities at Kasenyi landing site, Katabi Sub county,Wakiso District, Uganda. The study was based on 3 objectives namely: to assess the types and state of sanitation facilities at Kasenyi landing site, Katabi Sub county,Wakiso District, Uganda; to study the usage of sanitation facilities at Kasenyi landing site, Katabi Sub county,Wakiso District, Uganda; and to examine people’s awareness of the consequences of poor sanitation at Kasenyi landing site, Katabi Sub county, Wakiso District, Uganda. The study was a cross sectional research design involving both qualitative and quantitative research approaches. The required information was gathered using four methods namely; in-depth interviews, survey, focus group discussions and observation. Three categories of respondents were included in the study. LC1 chairperson, Health inspector and residents of the landing site. It was noted that although the landing site has some sanitation facilities, they were generally inadequate and it is exacerbated by the ever increasing population due to increased involvement in fishing and other businesses. Additionally, the available sanitation facilities were poorly utilized which was a result of many factors including resident’s background and upbringing, discipline regarding personal hygiene and local authorities’ weakness in implementation of sanitation and hygiene policies. The cleanliness of the available sanitation facilities was not at its best and it formed part of the reasons why some of the people ignored using the facilities and instead opted for use of the shore around the landing site. This study will be used to develop sanitation programs under which the sanitation challenges will be tackled right from the root rather than to manage the resultant unpleasant consequences like outbreaks of diseases such as cholera which result from poor sanitation. The study recommended that there is need to develop sanitation programs which will tackle the challenges of inadequacy and poor usage, need to train concerned persons with suitable sanitation and hygiene strategies in order to make sure that they are well acquainted with sanitation and hygiene issues, strategies for their promotion and the roles they have to play.