Assessment of Open Defecation among Residents of Lagos West Senatorial District, Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study is an observational assessment of open defecation practices carried out from “Mile 2” in Amuwo Odofin local government area to Okokomaiko in Ojo local government area along Badagry express way in Lagos west senatorial district of Lagos State, Nigeria. A well-structured questionnaire was administered to 250 respondents to obtain the data used in this study. Male respondents were 57.2% while 42.8% were female. The respondents’ educational background shows that 46% finished from secondary school while 16.4% did not attend school. The educational status of the respondents and the usage of modern toilets rather than open defecation was found to be significant atχ2 (5, N = 250) = 11.221, p=0.047. A significant difference was observed between the respondents attitudes towards open defecation and their gender, for Male (M=7.27, SD=2.220) and Female (M=7.85, SD=1.500);t(248) = -2.138, p = 0.034. The relationship between accessibility to a hygienic toilet and ending of open defecation among respondents was also significant at χ2 (1, N = 250) = 20.489, p<0.05.The practice of open defecation was found not to be safe and was due to the lack of access to hygienic toilet facilities in the study area. Poverty level and lack of high statutory education are some of the major factors that contribute to the open defecation practices.