Latrine availability and associated factors among Religious institution in Northern Ethiopia, 2018

Abstract Background Religious institutions found at the community, not only uphold belief and cultural values but also as a force for positive change and development. Improved sanitation and hygiene is crucial in these institutions to decrease preventable infections due to unsanitary conditions. However, there are no studies among religious institution on availability of latrine. So this study was conducted to assess the latrine availability and associated factors among religious institution in Tigray Region, Ethiopia.Method Institution based cross – sectional study design was conducted in Tigray Region, Northern Ethiopia. Multi-stage sampling was used to sample 385 religious institutions. Data was collected using pre tested, structured questionnaire and observation checklist. Logistic regression was fitted and odds ratio with 95% confidence interval (CI) with p-value less than 0.05 was used to determine the predictors of latrine availability. Analysis was carried out using SPSS 20 TM - software package.Results In this study latrine availability was 32.8%. And was significantly affected by currently saved money towards having a latrine (Adjusted Odds ratio (AOR): 0.32, 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.25, 0.42]), any messages seen, heard or received on sanitation and hygiene (AOR: 0.43, 95% CI [0.38, 0.51]) and place where messages seen, heard, received (AOR: 2.95, 95% CI [1.11, 5.55]).Conclusion Availability of latrine was very low when compared to the national target of 100% among the religious institution and was affected by the currently saved money towards having a latrine, any messages seen, heard or received on sanitation and hygiene and place where the messages receive. Information regarding latrine availability should be provided to the community visiting religious institutions through available channels and practical models promotion.