Fecal Sludge Management in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Author Information
Author(s): Tra Lou Tinan Ange-Laetitia, Dongo Kouassi, Pessoa Colombo Vitor, Singh Shirish, Chenal Jérôme
Primary Institution: Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d’Ivoire
Hypothesis
What are the environmental and socio-economic factors influencing fecal sludge emptying practices in Sub-Saharan Africa?
Conclusion
The study found that nearly half of the households in Abidjan engage in unhygienic and unsafe fecal sludge emptying practices, primarily due to socio-economic factors and proximity to water bodies.
Supporting Evidence
- 47.6% of households reported unhygienic emptying practices.
- Household heads with higher incomes were less likely to engage in unsafe practices.
- Living close to a water body increased the likelihood of unsafe emptying.
Takeaway
Many people in Abidjan don't empty their toilets safely, which can make them and the environment sick. This happens more often for people who don't own their homes or live close to water.
Methodology
The study used surveys of 559 households and 24 semi-structured interviews to assess emptying practices and associated factors.
Potential Biases
Potential biases may arise from self-reported data and the representativeness of the sample.
Limitations
The cross-sectional design limits the ability to establish cause-and-effect relationships.
Participant Demographics
The majority of respondents were young adults aged 18-35, with a significant portion being women and a mix of housing types.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI 0.009–0.12
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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