A cross-sectional investigation of sanitation and water services  and related factors among residence of Negele town, Arsi zone, southeast Ethiopia

Abstract Background Access to at least a basic water supply service and improved sanitation contributes to human heath and socio-economic development of a country. This study was conducted to assess the sanitation and water services coverage and related factors among dwellers of Negele town, Arsi zone, southeast EthiopiaMethod Two Kebeles (administrative units) were randomly selected from each of the three zones of the town to collect data via questionnaires from randomly selected households (380), via interview from purposely selected key informants (40) and via personal observation employing a cross-sectional survey design from April-May 2018. Data were analyzed using microsoft Excel program and results were expressed using table as frequencie and percentages . Result Latrine coverage of the town was low (45%) mainly due to shortage of land or fund and expansion of building illegal houses. Among the available latrines, 75% were closer than the recommended distance (6m) to kitchens, 52.3% lacked roofs, 53% lacked doors, and 100% lacked hole cover (sheet of metal or wood which are commonly advised to be put on the small hole of the latrines) and water to clean. Latrine lacking households defecate at various sites of the environment with problems on environmental sanitation, personal safety and health. Similarly, water service coverage was very low (7.6%) as a result of deficient water sources and non-functioning pipe lines forcing the people to use unprotected water sources or expend much time in fetching water from others’ private taps. The administration of the town had planned to build four public toilets and raise its water supply coverage to about 70% by 2018/2019.Conclusion Latrine and water service coverage of Negele town was so low implying it is not on a track to achieve the United Nations (UN) sustainable development goal target 6.1 and 6.2. This may intiate the admistration of the town to provide land, arrange loan or search for aids for the construction of standardized private and public toilets. Searching additional water sources like underground water and maintaining non-functional and/or constructing new pipe lines may also be promoted to improve the water service coverage of the town. The plan of the administration of the town should include long term plan, be public participatory and target the UN sustainable development goals.