Norms, attitudes and gender perspectives in ecological sanitation

Abstract

In Kenya, the urban poor are residing in the Peri urban areas of Nakuru Municipality with inadequate sanitation facilities. This study investigated attitudes towards urine diverting toilets to popularize their use as viable alternative sanitation. Face to face interviews among 231 household respondents using a semi structured questionnaire, field observations, focused group discussions and key informant interviews were performed. Most of the respondents reported that the ecosan toilets are a viable option due to congested housing pattern, desire to own a toilet (for those who never had a toilet before), geo­ hydrological conditions, improved privacy, and convenience among other factors. Most respondents preferred squatting type of urine diverting toilet, and are willing to reuse sanitized urine and feacal matter. Among the challenges noted include forgetfulness by some people to spray ash after defecating, misplaced water entering the toilet vault during cleaning and confusion in using the two holes. The provision for squat hole covers; modification of design, commitment and household change of behaviors are fundamental for encouraging more adoption and replication of the toilets.