Wanzahun Godana and Bezatu Mengistie
Unsanitary disposal of human excreta, together with unsafe drinking water and poor hygiene conditions contribute for 88% of diarrheal diseases; the burden of this disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality particularly in young children and lack of access to sanitation has significant non-health consequences, especially for women and girls, including lack of security and privacy, decreased school attendance and basic human dignity. In addition, inadequate sanitation is implicated in Helminth infections, enteric fevers and trachoma. There are many factors that limit the utilization of latrines in rural setting. Qualitative study was conducted to explore the barriers related to the use of latrine and health impacts in rural kebeles of Dirashe district Southern Ethiopia. Data was collected through focus group discussions, in-depth interview and observations. The study revealed that the utilization of latrine was low with high open field defecations and the community had poor attitude towards the sanitation practice.
