USER SATISFACTION AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS IN SEPTIC TANK BASED WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT AMONG CONDOMINIUM HOUSEHOLDS IN HARAR AND DIRE DAWA CITIES, EASTERN ETHIOPIA

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.