02470nas a2200217   4500000000100000008004100001653003900042653002400081653001300105653001200118100001800130700001900148700002200167700001400189245014700203856009400350300001100444490000600455520177700461022001402238       2017                            d10aNeglected tropical diseases (NTDs)10aLatrine utilization10aEthiopia10aChencha1 aChare Koyra H1 aMensa Sorato M1 aShiferaw Unasho Y1 aKanche ZZ00aLatrine utilization and associated factors in rural community of Chencha district, Southern Ethiopia: A community based cross-sectional study.  uhttp://www.sciepub.com/portal/downloads?doi=10.12691/ajphr-5-4-2&filename=ajphr-5-4-2.pdf  a98-1040 v53 a<p>The use of sanitation facilities is known to interrupt the transmission of fecal-to-oral related disease. Health improvement comes from the proper use of sanitation facilities, not simply their physical presence. This is best achieved through regular use of clean and well maintained latrines. A community based cross-sectional study was conducted to assess latrine utilization and associated factors in the rural community of Chencha district, Gamo Goffa Zone in February 2013. Sample population of 420 households with latrine facilities were selected from 5 sub districts (<em>Kebeles</em>). Multistage systematic random sampling method was used. The structured questionnaire was used for data collection. All types of available latrines were pit latrines. Of which 67.4% latrines were functional and from which 46.4% required maintenance. Among 415 households, overall latrine use was 60% and the remaining 40% households were not using latrine. However, over all persistent utilization was 31.08%. Main reasons for non-use or non-persistent use of latrine were lack of functional latrine, stay out for farming and lack of supra structure of latrine. self-initiation (AOR (95% CI) = 6.480(2.772-15.379), <em>p</em>&lt;0.001), peer influence (AOR (95% CI)= 3.111(1.470-6.584), <em>p</em>= 0.003), length of years since latrine was constructed ((AOR (95% CI) = 0.219(0.133-0.362) <em>P</em>&lt;0.001), and educational status of the heads of households ((AOR (95% CI) = 3.293 (1.969-5.506) <em>P</em>&lt;0.001) were the major predictors affecting utilization of latrines. In conclusion, Latrine status and utilization in rural community of Chencha district was found to be very low and needed attention to promote hygiene and sanitation behavior in the community.</p>
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