| dc.description.abstract | Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 6.2 calls for ‘adequate and equitable sanitation for all.’ However, rapid urbanization in developing countries has led to the growth of slums, where access to private sanitation facilities is frequently unfeasible or difficult to implement. Thus, Shared Sanitation (a facility used by more than two Households) is an option to avoid/eradicate open defecation. Evident studies showed that shared toilets are often poorly managed, thus consequential adverse harmful health risks such as diarrheal diseases, environmental pollution, and economic deprivations. The study objectives were to assess the status of shared toilets, establish social-cultural, and examine economic factors influencing the management of shared sanitation in Nakuru Town's west slums, Nakuru County, Kenya. The study adopted a parallel convergent mixed method design, where qualitative and quantitative data were gathered. Quantitative data was collected using structured questionnaires from 288 household heads selected using cluster and proportionate simple random sampling techniques and 106 spot observational checklists. Qualitative data was collected using an interview guide from purposively selected key informants. The quantitative data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 for descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis. Qualitative findings were organized into themes and presented in narratives. From the findings, pit latrines were the predominant shared sanitation technology (68.8%), with 76.4% having iron sheet roofs, 74.5% cemented walls, and 92.5% plastic slab materials. Hygiene issues were significant, with 58.5% of toilets having traces of faeces, 69.8% flies, and 81.1% emitting Odors. The poor management of shared sanitation was estimated at 74.7% (95% CI: 69.6-79.7). The study established that secondary education (aOR = 2.305, 95% CI: 1.117–4.575), marital status (aOR = 2.168, 95% CI: 1.104–4.255), users' satisfaction (aOR = 5.84, 95% CI: 1.94–17.53), having 9 or more households (aOR = 0.146, 95% CI: 0.052–0.406), social norms (aOR = 6.60, 95% CI: 2.12–20.592), employment (aOR = 2.234, 95% CI: 1.034–5.320), awareness of financial organizations (aOR = 0.463, 95% CI: 0.232–0.924), and affordability (aOR = 0.334, 95% CI: 0.139–0.807) were social-cultural and economic factors significantly associated with the management of shared sanitation facilities. In conclusion, the management of shared sanitation facilities in the study area was insufficient potentially influenced by socio-cultural and economic factors. The study recommended the implementation of interventions, such as establishing regular cleaning schedules, to address the observed hygiene deficiencies. Additionally, sanitation stakeholders, including NGOs, should conduct targeted awareness campaigns considering the socio-cultural and economic contexts to promote positive behavioral change and financial literacy. Future studies should focus on implementing and assessing the effectiveness of behavioral interventions | en_US |
