Determinants of disposal of child faeces in latrines in urban slums of Odisha, India: a cross-sectional study

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Fiona Majorin, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine; Corey L Nagel, Oregon Health and Science University; Belen Torondel, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine; Parimita Routray, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine; Manaswini Rout, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine; Thomas Clasen, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2019-05-01
• Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP): Policy B - Oxford Open Option B
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/trstmh/try142
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Transactions of The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
• ISSN: 0035-9203
• Volume: 113
• Issue: 5
• Start Page: 263
• End Page: 272
• Grant/Funding Information: This work was supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (OPP1008048).
• Keywords: cross-sectional study; India; sanitation; WASH; child faeces
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Public Health

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Even among households that have access to improved sanitation, children's faeces often do not end up in a latrine, the international criterion for safe disposal of child faeces. METHODS: We collected data on possible determinants of safe child faeces disposal in a cross-sectional study of 851 children <5 y of age from 694 households in 42 slums in two cities in Odisha, India. Caregivers were asked about defecation and faeces disposal practices for all the children <5 y of age in the household. RESULTS: Only a quarter (25.5%) of the 851 children's faeces were reported to be disposed of in a latrine. Even fewer (22.3%) of the 694 households reported that the faeces of all children <5 y of age in the home ended up in the latrine the last time the child defecated. In multivariate analysis, factors associated with being a safe disposal household were education and religion of the primary caregiver, number of children <5 y of age in the household, wealth, type and location of the latrine used by the household, household members >5 y of age using the latrine for defecation and mobility of children <5 y of age in the household. CONCLUSIONS: Few households reported disposing of all of their children's faeces in a latrine. Improving latrine access and specific behaviour change interventions may improve this practice.