Factors Associated With Pupil Toilet Use in Kenyan Primary Schools

Joshua V. Garn, Bethany A. Caruso, Carolyn D. Drews-Botsch, Michael R. Kramer, Babette A. Brumback, Richard D. Rheingans and Matthew C. Freeman
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Joshua V. Garn: Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health and Laney Graduate School, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
Bethany A. Caruso: Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
Carolyn D. Drews-Botsch: Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health and Laney Graduate School, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
Michael R. Kramer: Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health and Laney Graduate School, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
Babette A. Brumback: Department of Biostatistics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
Richard D. Rheingans: Department of Global and Environmental Health, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
Matthew C. Freeman: Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA

IJERPH, 2014, vol. 11, issue 9, 1-18

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to quantify how school sanitation conditions are associated with pupils’ use of sanitation facilities. We conducted a longitudinal assessment in 60 primary schools in Nyanza Province, Kenya, using structured observations to measure facility conditions and pupils’ use at specific facilities. We used multivariable mixed regression models to characterize how pupil to toilet ratio was associated with toilet use at the school-level and also how facility conditions were associated with pupils’ use at specific facilities. We found a piecewise linear relationship between decreasing pupil to toilet ratio and increasing pupil toilet use ( p < 0.01). Our data also revealed significant associations between toilet use and newer facility age ( p < 0.01), facility type ( p < 0.01), and the number of toilets in a facility ( p < 0.01). We found some evidence suggesting facility dirtiness may deter girls from use ( p = 0.06), but not boys ( p = 0.98). Our study is the first to rigorously quantify many of these relationships, and provides insight into the complexity of factors affecting pupil toilet use patterns, potentially leading to a better allocation of resources for school sanitation, and to improved health and educational outcomes for children.

Keywords: sanitation; school sanitation; latrine use; toilet use; pupil to latrine ratio; pupil to toilet ratio; cleanliness; Kenya (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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