Socio-Demographic Factors Influencing Human Waste Disposal Practices in Kibra Sub-County, Kenya

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to determine socio-demographic factors influencing human waste disposal practices in Kibra sub-county, Kenya Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Kibra Sub-County, comprising 17 villages. Study Population was Household heads residing in Kibra for ≥6 months. Data was collected among 365 participants. A simple random sampling technique was employed from a household listing developed with local administrators. Quantitative data were collected via structured questionnaires. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression to identify factors associated with safe disposal practices. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Ethical Approval number was obtained from the JKUAT Ethical Review Board and NACOSTI. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants, with assurances of anonymity and voluntary participation. Findings: Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictors of safe human waste disposal among residents of Kibera Constituency. Paying for sanitation was a strong independent predictor of safe disposal. Respondents who paid for sanitation services were over seven times more likely to practice safe disposal compared to those who did not pay Adjusted OR 7.21 (95% CI: 3.52–14.78, p < 0.001). Higher household income significantly increased the likelihood of safe disposal. Respondents earning more than 30,000 KES were nearly twenty times more likely to practice safe disposal compared to those earning less than 10,000 KES Adjusted OR 19.84 (95% CI: 4.12–95.62, p < 0.001). Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The social demographic factors, education level, household income, employment status among those able to pay were significantly associated with positive human waste disposal. This study recommends continues education campaign to residents of Kibra by leaders and ministry of health on importances of doing work to earn income and practice safe human waste disposal.