Abstract:
Sanitation practices are essential for maintaining health, preventing diseases
and contributing to long-term development. Poor sanitation conditions contribute significantly
to the spread of infectious diseases, making it a critical public health issue in most low- and
middle-income countries, including Ethiopia. There is evidence paucity on level of household
sanitation practices and related factors in the study area.
Objective: This study aimed to assess household sanitation practice and identify the
associated factors in Gola Oda woreda, East Harerghe Zone, Eastern Ethiopia.
Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 498 households
from September 19- October 6, 2024. Six out of 18 kebeles were selected using a simple
random sampling method. Within each selected kebele, a systematic random sampling
technique was used to select the study participants. Data collection involved a pre-test
structured questionnaire and an observational checklist. Analysis was performed by using
SPSS version 25, with bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions used to identify the
associated factors, considering a significance level of p-value < 0.05.
Results: The study found that 53.5% (95 CI: 49.2%, 58.2%) of households exhibited good
sanitation practice. Factors significantly associated with sanitation practice included a
diploma or higher education (AOR = 14.389, 95% CI: 1.74-118.80), grades 9 to 12 education
(AOR = 4.034, 95% CI: 1.13-14.40), grades 1 to 4 education (AOR = 2.361, 95% CI: 1.33-
4.19), the presence of a latrine superstructure (AOR = 4.133, 95% CI: 1.24-13.80), regular
follow-up visits from health extension workers (AOR = 13.452, 95% CI: 2.36-76.75), good knowledge of sanitation (AOR = 4.218, 95% CI: 2.00-8.89), and positive attitudes towards
sanitation (AOR = 3.927, 95% CI: 1.89-8.15).
Conclusion: - This study revealed that just over half of the households in the study area
practice good sanitation. However, a significant portion still faces challenges. The study
underscores the critical need for targeted educational and awareness programs to improve
sanitation practices in the area. By bridging knowledge gaps, fostering positive attitudes
towards sanitation, enhancing sanitation infrastructure, and ensuring ongoing support from
health extension workers, significant advancements in public health can be realized
