Abstract:
Background: Millions of people around the world do not have access to safe sanitation and hygiene services, causing them to suffer from or be exposed to a variety of preventable illnesses as a result of poor sanitation and hygiene practices. Poor hygiene and sanitation practices have a negative impact on the well-being of the population, particularly in low and middle-income countries. Good hygiene and sanitation practices can help prevent infections, control pathogen transmission, and promote health
Method: A Cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the factors associated with poor sanitation and hygiene practices within the community of Nyamagabe District. This study is purely quantitative that surveyed 341 households across the district.
Results: The findings of the study paint a picture of the factors associated with poor sanitation and hygiene practices in the Nyamagabe District. The participants of this study were head of households with priority given to the female. The finding reveals that Living in Kibumbwe sector was associated with high risk of having poor sanitation practices (OR=16.68, 95%CI: 1.27- 219.32). Nkomane sector compared to Buruhukiro was linked with a less risk of having poor sanitation (OR=0.22, 95%CI: 0.06-0.83). Non-formal education was associated with an increased risk of poor sanitation in a household (OR=6.3, 95%CI:1.1-35.4). Owning a bank account was associated with less risk of having poor sanitation (OR=0.26,95% CI: 0.10-0.66). Gasaka (OR=10.68, 95% CI: 1.03-110.37), Kibumbwe (OR=84.13, 95% CI: 3.52-2010.01), Mugano (OR=9.79, 95% CI: 1.34-71.74) and Uwinkingi (OR=10.47, 95% CI: 1.20-91.64) compared to Buruhukiro were associated with increased risk of having poor hygiene practices. Th lack of formal education was associated with a higher risk of poor hygiene (OR=11.83, 95%: 1.27-109.88). The second (OR=0.23, 95% CI: 0.06-0.96) and third (OR=0.23, 95% CI: 0.05- 0.94) Ubudehe categories compared to the first were associated with a decreased tendency of poor hygiene in households of Nyamagabe district.
Conclusion: The findings add to the current understanding of sanitation and hygiene practices in Nyamagabe. The study concludes that behavior change should be prioritized to increase sanitation and hygiene practices within the Nyamagabe district community.
