A Comparative Study to Assess the Knowledge and Practices of Adults Towards use of Latrine Among Rural and Urban Area

Abstract

One of the biggest challenges in making the country Open Defecation Free is triggering behavioral changes in the population to accept the need for building and using toilets, in reality toilets mean health and economic benefits, and improvements to human dignity, but we need the perception of toilets to match this reality. Keeping clean and disposing of human waste (feces and urine) are necessary for good health. If they are not taken care of in a safe way, our feces and urine can pollute the environment and cause serious health problems, Illnesses caused by germs and worms in feces are a constant source of discomfort for millions of people. More than reducing levels of infection and disease, however, the sanitary importance of toilets offers an increased sense of dignity. To make India open defecation-free, we need to shift the prevailing mindset and attitude about toilet use and change behavior by repositioning the toilet — from a dark, dirty and smelly room to a “happy room,” with perceived status, social and convenience benefits. Both male and female person, adults, who are responsible or decision maker as the head of the family, irrespective of their age, play an important role to improve the sanitation in the family, it will be better in improving health and other conditions of their family members which leads to develop the state as well as country. Materials and Methods: A comparative descriptive research design to find out knowledge and practice of adults towards use of latrine among rural and urban area with a view to develops an .The study conducted on 50samples each from rural and urban area. Data was collected in the month of January to June 2022. Data was collected using structured questionnaire to find out knowledge and practice of adults towards use of latrine among rural and urban area. Results: The data revealed that, the number of adults of rural area was between 20-25 years of age group (28%),26-30(28%),36-40 (28%),and 31-35 yrs. of age group was (14%). and in urban area 31-35 yrs. of age group was(28 %),20-25 &26-30 was (26%) and 36-40 was (20%). More than half of the participants from rural area were female (72%) and from urban area were 54%. Maximum participants from rural area, their educational qualification in between 1-9th class was (50%) and from urban area was higher education (84%). Maximum number of participants from both rural (94%) and urban (82%) having own house land Majority of samples are Housewife (31.66%). Majority of samples from both rural (78%) and urban (90%) were belongs to Hindu religion. Majority of samples from rural area having monthly income between 1001-4000 rupees was (60%) and from urban area was above 7000(66%). Most of the participants were included in other occupation. In rural (52%) and urban (44%). Participants of rural area got majority of health information from health personals (38%) and of urban area from mass media (60%). Statistical Analysis showed that mean of rural adults knowledge regarding use of latrine is (12.24) less than urban adults knowledge regarding use of latrine (20). Mean % of rural adults knowledge regarding use of latrine is (51%) is less than adults residing in urban area (93.18) and mean difference is 32.33%.Standard deviation of rural adults is (4.28) and urban adults is (2.46). Z value is (2.48).Statistical Analysis also showed that mean of rural adults practices regarding use of latrine is (32.78) less than urban adults practices regarding use of latrine (50.32). Mean % of rural adults practices regarding use of latrine is (60.70) is less than adults residing in urban area (93.18) and mean difference is 32.48 .Standard deviation of rural adults is (9.90) and urban adults is (2.48). Z value is (0.95). Conclusion: After the detailed analysis of the study findings showed that knowledge of rural adults is less than knowledge of urban adults regarding use of latrine. The practices of rural adults is less than the practices of urban adults regarding use of latrine. There is a significant association between demographic variables and knowledge and practices of adults towards use of latrine among rural and urban area.