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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Public Health
Sec. Public Health Education and Promotion
Volume 12 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1387861
This article is part of the Research Topic Exploring the Interaction between Health-promoting and Health Risk Behaviors in Health, Volume II View all 13 articles

Contextual and Psychosocial Factors Associated with Latrine Utilization in Rural Communities in Ethiopia

Provisionally accepted
  • 1 College of Health Science, Oda Bultum University, Chiro, Ethiopia
  • 2 Department of Medical Laboratory, College of Health Science, Oda Bultum University, Chiro, Ethiopia
  • 3 Department of Midwifery, College of Health science, Oda Bultum University,, Chiro, Ethiopia
  • 4 Department of Public Health, College of Health Science, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Amhara, Ethiopia
  • 5 Department of Human Nutrition, College of Medicine and Health Science, Mizan Tepi University,Mizan Aman,Eth, Mizan Aman, Ethiopia
  • 6 Department of Laboratory,Adama Hospital Medical College, Adama, Ethiopia

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Background: Although proper latrine utilization is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of infection; it remains a challenge in most rural communities of developing countries like Ethiopia. Studies have demonstrated the link between individual behavior and latrine use, but there is a paucity of evidence on individual risk perception, perceived social pressure norms, social identity, and perceived ability which plays an indubitable role in health and behavior change especially in rural communities.Objective: To identify contextual and psychosocial factors associated with latrine utilization among rural communities in the Lomabosa district, Ethiopia.Methods: A rural community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in June 2022, among rural households in Lomabossa district, Ethiopia. A systematic random sampling method was used to select participant households. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire via face-to-face interviews and on-the-spot observations. Stata version 14.1 software was used for statistical analysis. A binary logistic regression model was use to run bi-variable and multivariable analysis of the data. Variables with P-value < 0.25 at bi-variable logistic regression analysis were enter to multivariable analysis. The Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with a 95% Confidence Interval (CI) was used to show the strength of association and statistical significance was declared at p value < 0.05.Of the 682 computed sample sizes, 665 households participated in this study with a response rate of 97%. Accordingly, our analysis found that 67% (95% CI: 63.7%, 70.5%) of households utilize their latrine properly. Educational status (AOR =2.01; 95%CI 1.01-2.08), Wealth index (AOR = 2.3; 95% CI 1.23-3.58); Perceived susceptibility (AOR 3.2; 95% CI 1.26-5.14), Injunctive norm (AOR 1.9; 95% CI 1.13-3.18) and Perceived ability (AOR 1.9; 95% CI 1.04-3.79) were contextual and psychosocial factors associated with latrine utilization.This study found that Educational status, Wealth index, Perceived susceptibility, Injunctive norm, and Perceived ability were contextual and psychosocial factors associated with latrine utilization. Therefore; information intervention for the low perception of health risk, persuasive and normative interventions for changing norm factors, and infrastructural and other ability support for ability factors should be addressed.

    Keywords: Latrine utilization, contextual factors, Psychosocial factors, wealth index, Rural Ethiopia

    Received: 18 Feb 2024; Accepted: 31 Oct 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Bamlaku Golla, Geremew, Adinew, Ahmed, Simegn, Wondie, Kumbi and Kuse. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Eyasu Bamlaku Golla, College of Health Science, Oda Bultum University, Chiro, Ethiopia

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