Assessing the Planning Indicators for Open-Defecation Prevention in Ogun State Nigeria

This study is aimed at employing the structural equation model to estimate the significance of effective management of toilets, interventionist measures, and punitive measures, as veritable dimensions of planning that can mitigate open defecation in Ogun state, Nigeria. Adopting a four-level multi-stage approach, a total of 110, 100, and 120 questionnaires were respectively administered in Ogijo/Likosi, Ilaro I, and Sodeke/Sale‐Ijeun I wards. The selected criteria reflect the variance in the populations of 1,250,435(33%), 1,112,761(30%), and 1,387,944(37%) for Ogun East, Ogun West and Ogun Central, respectively. The pooled confirmatory factor analysis process involved several re-estimations, based on the deletion of lowly loading factors and correlation of redundant items. Next, the model was validated; normality was assessed; and full structural model was analysed. The structural model established a significant positive relationship between Effective Management of Toilets (MT) and Planning Dimension (PD) (β=0.773, p<0.05), Punitive Measures (PM) and Planning Dimension (PD) (β=0.765, p<0.05), and similarly, Interventionist Measures (IM) and Planning Dimension (PD) (β=1.093, p<0.05). The study, among all others, recommends the implementation of initiatives such as landscaping of open spaces; provision of bus terminals with adequate toilets, in the event that households members are pressed while travelling; installations of signposts warning against open defecation; connection of all residential developments to comprehensive water schemes; and enlightenment campaigns against open defecation by the authority, as planning measures that can discourage open defecation.