Latrine utilization and associated factors among Primary and Non -primary open defecation free kebeles in Farta District, South Gondar, and Northwest Ethiopia: a comparative cross-sectional study

Introduction: The construction of pit latrine is less cost sanitation technology to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Community-Led Total Sanitation and hygiene (CLTSH) approach has been used to bring sustainable behavioral change on latrine utilization. The aim of this study to assess latrine utilization and associated factors among primary and non-primary open defecation free kebele households. Methods: A community based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from December 11/2015 to January 2/2016. We used multistage sampling technique to select 716 households that had a latrine by using systematic random sampling method. Data were collected through interview and observation, and entered using EpiInfo version 7 and analyzed with SPSS version 20. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the study population. To identify independent predictors of latrine utilization, only variables that were statistically significant during bivariate analysis were entered into multiple logistic regression models to control the effects of confounders. Results: The overall prevalence of latrine utilization was found to be 58.8%, where 62.6% and 55.0% in primary and non-primary households, which was significantly associated with presence of elementary or secondary school children in the house[AOR: 95% CI: 3.84(2.27– 6.49)], Households residing in primary ODF kebeles [AOR: 95% CI:2.71(1.64-4.48)], distance of latrine from the house,< 6 meter [AOR: 95% CI:5.4(2.82 -10.34)], household visitation ≥3 times per month by HEWs [AOR: 95% CI:5.36 (2.71-10.63)] and latrines no need maintenance[AOR: 95% CI: 3.69(1.92–7.09)] predictors of latrine utilization. Conclusion: The finding discloses that latrine utilization is low in this district, compared to the national target of the country 82%. Latrine utilization is significantly different between primary and non-primary open defecation free kebele households. The finding suggests that being a primary HHs can have a positive impact on latrine utilization. Keywords: Latrine utilization, Prevalence, Associated factors, primary and Non-primary household