Open Defecation Free status and its determinants in rural Uganda: a cross-sectional survey

Abstract Introduction Globally, the progress to attain the open defecation free (ODF) environment has remained very slow. This study examined context specific factors influencing household open defecation free status in Uganda Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in Kabale district in southwestern Uganda and 492 participants were randomly selected at household level. Data was obtained through conducting a face-to-face interview using the mobile data collection software KoBoCollect v2021.3.4 installed on tablet devices. The bivariate analysis was conducted using Pearson’s chi-square test to determine if there existed significant associations between the outcome Household Open Defecation Free (HODF) status and independent variables. The variables with P<0.2 at bivariate analysis comprised the global model and were considered for multivariate analysis. Results The average age of the participants was 49 (SD 23.4) years. Most (67.68%) of the study participants, were females while 144 (29.27%) of the participants had no formal education. The households that were open defecation free were as few as 15 (3%). At multivariable logistic regression analysis, gender of the participants, remembering handwashing, latrine and household cleanliness factors were significantly association with Household Open Defecation Free status. Male participants had more odds of having open defecation free households (aOR: 4.95; 95% CI: 1.57 - 15.60) compared to female participants. Also households with clean compounds and with latrines not having their holes soiled with feces had more odds of being open defecation free (aOR: 4.39; 95% CI: 1.44 - 13.37 and aOR: 13.86; 95% CI: 1.77 - 108.68 respectively). Conclusion The prevalence of HODF was very low and factors associated with it were; the gender of the participants, the latrine and household cleanliness and the behavioral factor of remembering handwashing. We propose behavioral change interventions that empower communities to adapt improved sanitation behavior, such as Community Led Total Sanitation and Hygiene (CLTSH) in order to increase households with the Open Defecation Free status.