PREVENTION OF INTESTINAL PARASITIC INFECTION IN MAKURDI VIA THE PUBLIC LATRINE SYSTEM
PREVENTION OF INTESTINAL PARASITIC INFECTION IN MAKURDI VIA THE PUBLIC LATRINE SYSTEM
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Date
2000-12
Authors
Ahemen, Terseer Augustine
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Abstract
This descriptive cross-sectional study assessed the community's knowledge of the
relationship between excreta disposal and health, their sanitary practices regarding
excreta disposal as well as factors militating against public latrine utilization in Makurdi
town of Benue State, Nigeria.
Four hundred and thirty-three (4?3) respondents answered a questiommaire each,
four focus group discussions were conducted, one each with young men, older men,
young women, and older women, and an inspection of some public latrines was done.
A mini survery was also undertaken to take a "window view" of the magnitude
of the intestinal parasitic infections rate in the town.
Knowledge of the harmful effects of human excreta exposure is high, inspite of
this, only 19.2% of premises sampled had latrine/toilet facilities, and another 16% of
those without latrines use their neighbours.
Open field defaecation is rampant, 22% (in the bush, gutter, refuse dumps).
Public latrines are not, or only poorly utilized because the respondents are
ignorant of their existence and even those aware of their existence find them repulsive
due to lack of maintenance.
Respondents are even willing to pay to use public latrines that meet their standard
(81%). Suggested locations for such latrines include markets, motoi parks, high
population density areas etc.
Public latrine use can be improved if the above measures are put in place and the
people educated on the dangers of indiscriminate defaecation as well as the availability
of public sanitary facilities in the town.
Public latrines planned and implemented along these lines could also encourage
individual household demand for similar facilities thereby further improving the excreta
disposal system. A beneficial fall out of this will be the elimination of, not just intestinal
parasitoses but, many other enteric infections as well.
Description
A Thesis Submitted to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in partial
fulfillment for the award of Degree of Master of Public Health (MPH)
Department of Community Medicine
Faculty of Medicine
Ahmadu Bello University,
Zaria - Nigeria
DECEMBER, 2000
Keywords
PREVENTION,, INTESTINAL,, PARASITIC,, INFECTION,, MAKURDI,, VIA,, PUBLIC,, LATRINE,, SYSTEM.