Abstract
This paper explores the influence of perception on behaviours associated with emptying of faecal sludge from non-sewered sanitation systems using findings from a study on the emptying behaviour of residents of Khulna city, Bangladesh. The purpose of the study was to highlight perception as a behaviour determinants as well as develop perception management strategies for the design, plan and implementation of effective behaviour change intervention programmes with a focus on ‘scheduled emptying’. The study uses a mixed-method cross-sectional approach to collect data through structured household questionnaire surveys, face-to-face key informant interviews, group interviews, and structured observations. The study revealed that the emptying behaviour of the community was reactive, untimely and unsafe and over half of the systems had never been emptied, which was traced to emptying perceptions that encouraged a laissez-faire attitude within households and the community. The study concluded by proposing a perception management model to achieve behaviour change towards scheduled emptying via perception change.
Highlights
Non-sewered sanitation (NSS) systems are estimated to serve 2.8 billion people globally (Cairns-Smith et al, 2014; Peal et al, 2014; Strande et al, 2018), but the current reactive and emergency emptying practice of users/owners of these systems is unsafe and laden with risks of exposure to pathogenic organisms
The result indicated that a relatively large proportion of the sampled population were between the ages of 40–55 years (40%) while 21.3% were between the ages of 19–39 and 38.8% were over 55 years
This paper has attempted to show that perception change management is essential to effective sanitation behaviour change intervention—in this case; scheduled timely and safe emptying of onsite sanitation systems (OSS)/NSS containment systems
Summary
Non-sewered sanitation (NSS) systems (or onsite sanitation systems [OSS]) are estimated to serve 2.8 billion people globally (Cairns-Smith et al, 2014; Peal et al, 2014; Strande et al, 2018), but the current reactive and emergency emptying practice of users/owners of these systems is unsafe and laden with risks of exposure to pathogenic organisms. Scheduled emptying (desludging) that is regular, safe and preventive are conducted at intervals appropriate to local conditions with emphasis on sludge accumulation, as well as containment type and size. It involves the use of approved mechanical/ motorised equipment (e.g., vacuum trucks) and trained manual emptiers with personal protective equipment (PPE) (e.g., Gulpers) (Parkinson and Quader, 2008; Mondal, 2018; Mondal et al, 2018; Kugedera, 2019). Owners and/or users of OSS often based their emptying behaviours on their perceptions rather than on any scientific measures or regulatory directives and standards (Taylor, 1975)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
