Adequacy and Utilization of Sanitation Facilities in Primary Schools in Masaba North District, Kenya.

Abstract

The currently high and ever- increasing enrollment in schools since 2003 in Kenya, as a result of the Universal Primary Education has made water, sanitation and hygiene issues of national significance. The available sanitation facilities cannot adequately serve the school children.

The objective of this study was to assess the adequacy and utilization of sanitation facilities in primary schools in Masaba North District.

A descriptive cross-sectional study was used. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires, key informant interview and observation checklist. A total of 340 participants sampled by simple random procedure and purposive sampling fulfilled the study criteria and were included in the analysis. Although there was a good availability of pit latrines (89.2%) and urinals (71.3%), as well as rubbish pits (70.9%) in the sampled schools, and that of hand washing facilities such as taps and soap (58.1% and 18.4%). Generally the hand washing facilities were unavailable in the selected primary schools.

Developing sanitation programs under which the challenges should be tackled right from the root rather than attempting to manage the resultant unpleasant consequences, proper planning for the schools‟ carrying capacity, and including suitable sanitation and hygiene strategies in the curriculum of teachers training institutions, are critical for the country to improve its hygiene and sanitation in schools.