Factors that affect successful attainment of open defecation free status in Tharaka North Sub County, Tharaka Nithi County

Background: The successful attainment of ODF status has proven to be a formidable practice in addressing the issues of open defecation and the prevalence of sanitation-related illnesses in rural areas of the nation. Nevertheless, about 66% of people in Africa in 2022 lacked access to proper sanitation, despite efforts and major investment in the sanitation industry. Further, more than 5.6 million Kenyans engage in open defecation, making it a major public health problem. Despite considerable efforts invested in promoting sanitation programs, the attainment of open defecation free status in Tharaka North Sub-County, Tharaka-Nithi County, remains a challenge as no single village in the area has ever attained this status. The objective of this study is therefore to investigate those factors that affect the attainment of Open Defecation Free Status in Tharaka North Sub County, Tharaka Nithi County. Methods: This Mixed-Methods Research (MMR) study recruited 389 participants using random sampling and purposively selected other12 key informants for interviews. Data was collected through pretested questionnaires, interview schedules, and interview guides. Necessary research licenses and permits were adequately obtained. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25 for descriptive statistics including frequencies and percentages. Chi-Square was used to determine the association between variables. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically and reported verbatim. Results: Response rate yielded 86.6% (337) of which majority were males 65.0% (219). Conclusions: The findings of the study are expected to inform decisions in enhancing the attainment of the open defecation free status as well as formulation of relevant policies.