Wa0303.
Wa0303.
This chapter examines and analyses the data gathered from questionnaire in the course
of this research work.
This section contained two parts, part A represented the demographic data of the
respondents while part B represented the non-demographic data.
The above table represents the range of respondents by Religion. The result reveals that
58% (116) are Christianity, 42% (84) were Islamic. Therefore, majority of the
respondents are Christian.
The above table represents the range of respondents by Ethnicity. The result reveals that
66%(132) are Yoruba, 8%(16) are Hausa, 26%(52) are Igbo. Therefore, majority of the
respondents are Yoruba.
The above table represents the range of respondents by Occupation. The result reveals
that 48%(96) are Student, 38%(76) are Trader, 14%(28) are Farmer. Therefore,
majority of the respondents are Student.
The above table represents the range of respondents by Educational Level. The result
reveals that 4%(8) are NFE, 10%(20) are PE, 86%(172) are TE. Therefore, majority of
the respondents are TE.
The above table represents the range of respondents by Years Lived in Idowa. The
result reveals that 6%(12) have lived less than a years, 68%(136) have lived 1-5years ,
26%(52) have lived more than five years. Therefore, majority of the respondents have
lived 1-5years.
Table 4.2.5: Responses to “Open defecation is more common in rural areas than in
urban areas”
The survey findings from Idowa Ijebu highlight open defecation as a deeply rooted and
widespread issue, particularly in rural settings. A staggering 98% of respondents agreed that
the practice is common, with 100% citing lack of toilet access as the primary cause. This
aligns with global research emphasizing the sanitation deficit in low-income, rural
communities. Furthermore, responses revealed that most rural households lack proper toilet
facilities, indicating a direct link between poverty, poor infrastructure, and sanitation
challenges. Interestingly, over half of the respondents disagreed that people in their
community prefer using toilets, suggesting that cultural norms, habits, and perceived
convenience also sustain the practice. This underscores the need for not just physical
infrastructure, but also behavioral change initiatives to alter longstanding attitudes toward
sanitation.
Beyond the causes, the survey revealed a strong awareness of the risks and consequences
associated with open defecation. Respondents overwhelmingly recognized the serious public
health threats it poses, such as the spread of cholera, diarrhea, and other waterborne diseases.
Nearly all agreed it leads to environmental pollution, foul odors, and loss of dignity, showing
that even though the practice is widespread, people understand its dangers. In addition, the
impact on community development was strongly acknowledged — with most respondents
indicating that open defecation reduces the environmental appeal and hampers local
economic activities. Educational factors like illiteracy and lack of awareness were also
identified, suggesting that any effective solution must include strong information and
outreach components, especially for vulnerable groups.
Crucially, there was a unified call for government action. An overwhelming majority of
respondents supported government involvement in enforcing sanitation laws, building public
toilets, and conducting education campaigns. Many agreed that proper toilet facilities and
legal enforcement would help eradicate the problem. These findings echo global frameworks
from the WHO and UNICEF, which stress the need for a multi-dimensional approach that
combines infrastructure, education, and policy enforcement. While the study’s localized
focus provides in-depth insights, it may not be fully generalizable to all rural communities.
Still, it presents a compelling case for immediate, collaborative intervention. Addressing open
defecation in Nigeria will require not only increased funding and infrastructure but also
sustained political will and community ownership — all critical for meeting the targets of
Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation for all.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary
This study thoroughly examined the issue of open defecation in the rural community of
Idowa Ijebu, aiming to understand its causes, effects, and potential solutions. Motivated by
the high rates of open defecation in rural Nigeria despite ongoing efforts to eliminate it, the
research sought to identify contributing factors, assess the health, environmental, and social
impacts, and explore community perceptions and behaviors related to the practice.
Using a structured questionnaire, data was collected from 200 respondents. The study focused
on key areas including behavioral and infrastructural causes, health and environmental
consequences, and possible policy and community-based interventions. While most
respondents agreed that open defecation is common in rural areas due to inadequate toilet
facilities, low education levels, and insufficient government support, it is important to note
that in Idowa Ijebu specifically, open defecation is reportedly not widespread.
This distinction highlights the need to consider local variations when designing interventions.
Although open defecation remains practiced in some rural contexts, the community of Idowa
Ijebu shows higher awareness and lower incidence, emphasizing the importance of tailored,
community-specific sanitation strategies.
5.2 Conclusion
The findings of this study reveal that while open defecation is commonly associated with
rural communities, its actual practice in Idowa Ijebu may not be widespread. However, the
respondents’ agreement with statements about its causes and effects suggests that the risk
remains if proper sanitation measures are not maintained. The major contributing factors
identified include lack of access to proper toilet facilities, low awareness about hygiene, and
poor sanitation infrastructure. Open defecation was also linked to serious health issues like
cholera and diarrhea, as well as environmental pollution and loss of human dignity. Overall,
the responses emphasize the need for continuous government support, improved
infrastructure, and public health education to prevent open defecation and maintain
community well being.
5.3 Recommendations
The following recommendations are proposed, fully grounded in the study's findings:
All recommendations above stem directly from the data and reflect the collective will
and awareness of the respondents.
This study adds significant value to the existing literature and knowledge in the field of
public health, rural development, and environmental sanitation in the following ways:
It provides primary empirical data on open defecation in a rural Nigerian context, where data
is often scarce.
The study reveals the complex interplay between infrastructure, behavior, education, and
government policy, offering a multi-dimensional understanding of the problem. It highlights
the gap between awareness and practice, an area often underexplored, suggesting the need for
more targeted behavior change strategies. The findings can inform policy formulation,
community- level sanitation programs, and public health advocacy. It reinforces the
importance of community-driven sanitation solutions, adding weight to global campaigns
such as the Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) model. The findings can inform future
sanitation policies, advocacy programs, and community-level interventions in similar
settings.
While this study has addressed key aspects of open defecation in Idowa Ijebu, several
research gaps and areas for further investigation have been identified:
i. Qualitative research exploring the deep-seated cultural and psychological reasons why
individuals continue to engage in open defecation, even when facilities are available.
ii. Comparative studies between multiple rural and urban communities to understand
regional variations and the effectiveness of different interventions.
iii. Longitudinal studies to assess the long-term effects of sanitation interventions and to
measure behavior change over time.
iv. Research focusing on gender-specific impacts, especially how open defecation affects
women and girls in terms of safety, dignity, and health.
v. An economic analysis of how open defecation affects local development, including its
impact on agriculture, tourism, and local businesses.
vi. Such further research will deepen the understanding of the problem and enhance the
design of more targeted and effective sanitation strategies.
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DEPOTTER COLLEGE OF
HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ORU/IJEBU IGBO ROAD,ORU
IJEBU, OGUN STATE
Dear Respondent
I am a final year student of the above institution, carrying out a study titled
“PREVALENCE AND PERCEIVED EFFECTS OF OPEN DEFECATION AMONG
THE DWELLERS OF
IDOWA IJEBU OF OGUN STATE ”. This study is for academic purpose only ,and all
information provided will be treated confidentiality. Your name is not required in this
study ,and your response will be kept anonymous.
Your participation is highly valued, and I appreciate your
cooperation Thank you
Yours faithfully
Adekoya Deborah Oluwakemi
Researchers.
Section A
Demographics Data collection
1.Age (years): (a) 18-25yrs( ) (b)26-35yrs( ) (c)36-45yrs()
2.Religion: (a)Christianity( ) (b)Islam( )
3. Ethnicity :(a)Yoruba( ) (b)Hausa( ) (c)Igbo( )
5. Occupation:(a)Student( )
(b)Trader( ) (c)Farmer( )
6. Educational level :(a)No formal education ( ) (b)primary education ( ) (c)Tertiary
education ()
7. How long Have you lived in Idowa Ijebu? (a)less than 1yrs ( ) (b)1-5yrs( ) (c)more
than 5yrs( )
SECTION B
SA- strongly
Agreed A-
Agreed
D-Disagreed
SD-Strongly Disagreed
S/ RESEARCH ITEMS SA A D SD
N
PREVALENCE OF OPEN DEFECATION
1 Open defecation is commonly
practiced in rural communities.
2 Open defecation occurs because
19 Government intervention is
needed to stop open defecation
20 Proper toilet facilities should be
made available to stop open
defecation.