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Shared but Clean Household Toilets: What Makes This Possible? Evidence from Ghana and Kenya

Author

Listed:
  • Prince Antwi-Agyei

    (Regional Centre of Energy and Environmental Sustainability (RCEES), Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, School of Engineering, University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), P.O. Box 214, Sunyani BS0061, Ghana)

  • Isaac Monney

    (Department of Environmental Health and Sanitation Education, Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development, P.O. Box M40, Mampong 3JG3+PFQ, Ghana)

  • Kwaku Amaning Adjei

    (Department of Civil Engineering, Regional Water and Environmental Sanitation Centre (RWESCK), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), PMB, University Post Office, Kumasi AK448, Ghana)

  • Raphael Kweyu

    (Department of Geography, Kenyatta University, P.O. Box 43844, Nairobi 00100, Kenya)

  • Sheillah Simiyu

    (Urbanisation and Well-Being Unit, African Population & Health Research Center, P.O. Box 10787, Nairobi 00100, Kenya)

Abstract

Shared sanitation facilities are not considered as basic sanitation owing to cleanliness and accessibility concerns. However, there is mounting evidence that some shared household toilets have a comparable level of service as private toilets. This study examined the factors that contribute to the quality of shared household toilets in low-income urban communities in Ghana and Kenya. The study design comprised household surveys and field inspections. Overall, 843 respondents were interviewed, and 838 household shared sanitation facilities were inspected. Cleanliness scores were computed from the facility inspections, while a total quality score was calculated based on 13 indicators comprising hygiene, privacy, and accessibility. Regression analyses were conducted to determine predictors of cleanliness and the overall quality of the shared sanitation facilities. More than four out of five (84%) shared toilets in Ghana (N = 404) were clean, while in Kenya (N = 434), nearly a third (32%) were clean. Flush/pour-flush toilets were six times ( p < 0.01 aOR = 5.64) more likely to be clean. A functional outside door lock on a toilet facility and the presence of live-in landlords led to a threefold increase ( p < 0.01 aOR = 2.71) and a twofold increase ( p < 0.01 aOR = 1.92), respectively in the odds of shared sanitation cleanliness. Sanitation facilities shared by at most five households (95% CI: 6–7) were generally clean. High-quality shared toilets had live-in landlords, functional door locks, and were water-dependent. Further studies on innovative approaches to maintaining the quality of these high-quality shared toilets are needed to make them eligible for classification as basic sanitation considering the increasing reliance on the facilities.

Suggested Citation

  • Prince Antwi-Agyei & Isaac Monney & Kwaku Amaning Adjei & Raphael Kweyu & Sheillah Simiyu, 2022. "Shared but Clean Household Toilets: What Makes This Possible? Evidence from Ghana and Kenya," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-16, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:7:p:4271-:d:786166
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Prince Antwi-Agyei & Bismark Dwumfour-Asare & Kwaku Amaning Adjei & Raphael Kweyu & Sheillah Simiyu, 2020. "Understanding the Barriers and Opportunities for Effective Management of Shared Sanitation in Low-Income Settlements—The Case of Kumasi, Ghana," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-17, June.
    2. Dorothy Peprah & Kelly K. Baker & Christine Moe & Katharine Robb & Nii Wellington & Habib Yakubu & Clair Null, 2015. "Public Toilets and Their Customers in Low-Income Accra, Ghana," Mathematica Policy Research Reports e65b91a1e6ff4e17b6b8ae03c, Mathematica Policy Research.
    3. Gulyani, Sumila & Talukdar, Debabrata, 2008. "Slum Real Estate: The Low-Quality High-Price Puzzle in Nairobi's Slum Rental Market and its Implications for Theory and Practice," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 36(10), pages 1916-1937, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Peter Appiah Obeng & Eric Awere & Panin Asirifua Obeng & Michael Oteng-Peprah & Albert Kaabieredomo Mwinsuubo & Alessandra Bonoli & Sharon Amanda Quaye, 2023. "Usage and Microbial Safety of Shared and Unshared Excreta Disposal Facilities in Developing Countries: The Case of a Ghanaian Rural District," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-11, June.

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