Abstract:
Background: - User satisfaction is the condition at which perceived performance of service meet
users’ expectation. Whereas, Septic tank-based wastewater management is management of liquid
waste collecting in a sedimentation basin to degrade organic material. A septic tank system by
itself a sanitation technology with a clear design which is promoted in areas where a sewerage
system is absent.
Objective: - The research was aimed to assess the users’ satisfaction of wastewater management
system using septic tanks and associated factors among condominium households in Harar and
Dire Dawa cities from April 10 to April 20, 2025.
Methods: - A cross sectional study was conducted. The study was conducted selected 340
households. A questionnaires and observational checklist were used to collect data from the
records and observations. Data were entered into Epi Data 3.1and analyzed using Stata version
14.0. Bivariable logistic regression was. During bivariable analysis, variables at p–value ≤ 0. 25
were entered to multivariable logistic regression. Adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence
interval was estimated and statistical significance was declared at a p–value < 0.05.
Results: - The overall user satisfaction with septic tank wastewater management systems was
38.53% (95% CI: 33.48, 43.84), with a mean satisfaction score of 36.04 ± 8.28 SD. Wastewater
management condition revealed 22.95% showed good management practices, while 77.05% had
poor management. Self-employed residents were significantly more likely to be satisfied compared
to government employees (AOR=2.41, 95% CI: 1.01–5.74). Additionally, households with an
established committee responsible for wastewater management were three times higher odds of
satisfaction than those without such organizational structures (AOR=3.52, 95% CI: 1.56–7.95).
Conclusions and recommendations: User satisfaction with septic tank wastewater management
systems in condominium households of Harar and Dire Dawa is relatively low due to low
community and committee engagement. Also, system quality and maintenance differences. and
employment type. To improve satisfaction, it is recommended to promote community involvement
through establishing or strengthening wastewater management committees and overall system
quality and effectiveness should also be considered.
