Determinants of adoption of open defecation-free (ODF) innovations: A case study of Nadowli-Kaleo district, Ghana

Amin Alhassan,Bismark K Anyarayor

doi:10.4314/jdcs.v5i2.4

Abstract

This study investigated the adoption of sanitation innovations introduced in Nadowli-Kaleo District in Upper West Region of Ghana as part of the efforts to attain open defecation free (ODF) status. The study follows a Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) programme implementation in the district in which less than half of the households in the community adopted the ODF innovations introduced. It explored why some community members adopt ODF innovations and why others do not. The study also investigated factors that determined continued use of the innovations and the effects of sustained adoption on the community. A qualitative research design was used to gather data from 252 households across seven area councils in the Nadowli-Kaleo District. An interview instrument was used together with, non-participant observation and key informant interviews to collect qualitative data. The study established that: while effective communication of innovation resulted in widespread awareness, low income levels significantly accounted for households’ inability to sustain and utilize latrines. Other factors that influenced sustainable adoption of ODF innovations are the health and security advantages as well as the comfort and dignifying experience of privacy. In addition, cultural beliefs contributed to low levels of attitudinal change resulting in resistance to the adoption and sustainable use of ODF innovations. We recommend that future ODF programs based on CLTS module should intensify behaviour change communication (BCC) strategies such as interpersonal communication, mass media and role-play to bring about attitudinal change after the creation of awareness. Key words : Sanitation, Community Led Total Sanitation, Innovation, Open Defecation (OD), Open Defecation Free (ODF), Triggering, Ghana

Highlights

Good sanitation practices are essential for the attainment of sustainable development and poverty reduction
The results on why some people adopt new sanitation practices will be presented. This will be followed by a discussion on the factors that affect the adoption and sustenance of new sanitation innovation in the Nadowli-Kaleo district and the effects of sustaining behaviour change in the adoption of Open Defecation Free (ODF) in society will be presented
The study findings shows that the age groups from 15-60 are those who had adopted changed behaviour in ODF innovation age of an individual significantly influence the adoption of ODF innovation

Summary

Introduction

Good sanitation practices are essential for the attainment of sustainable development and poverty reduction. Countries in the Global South have sanitation as a major developmental challenge, which has impacted negatively on the progress in health, gender equity, and socio-economic development (UNICEF, 2009). WaterAid, an international NGO estimates that 2.5 billion people including 840 million children do not use improved sanitation facilities and practice open defecation. WaterAid ranks Ghana among the ten countries in the world with the worst statistical record on access to improved sanitation facilities. It says that 85.7 per cent of Ghanaians do not have access to basic sanitation facilities (WaterAid 2017, 6). Open defecation threatens public health, leads to high expenditure on health care, impacts negatively on social economic development and increases levels of poverty among rural societies where it is mostly practiced (UNICEF, 2009). In Africa, the number of people in rural areas without improved water supply and sanitation is six times higher than in urban populations (Baur & Woodhouse, 2009; JMP, 2017, 35)

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