WATER, SANITATION AND HYGIENE: SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND MULTISECTORAL APPROACHES

Abstract

The objective was to assess the level of sanitation and hygiene with baseline information on the impact of onsite sanitation facility development on public health in the Bawku East District using hundred and sixty eight (n=168) respondents from five randomly selected communities according to UNICEF water and sanitation support programs for a survey. Public latrine alone accounted for 43% patronage of toilet facilities in the district. Unfortunately, about 70% of the population who preferred household toilets rather patronized open defecation due to poverty and inadequate good toilet facilities at user ratio of 1: over 500 people with very low seat capacities. Among the subjects encountered, 42% were unskilled labourers whilst 27% students, who, could hardly afford the comfort of household toilet facilities.