Open defecation among adults having household toilets and factors associated with it: An analytical cross-sectional study from rural Bihar, India

• Published in: Clinical epidemiology and global health Vol. 25; p. 101486
• Main Authors: Muthukumaran, Arutperumjothi, Ranjan, Alok, Pandey, Sanjay, Kumar, Pragya, Rao, Rajath
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.01.2024; Elsevier
• Subjects: Family practices; Health hazards; Hygiene and sanitation; Open defecation; Rural health; Sanitary latrine; Rural health; Sanitary latrine; Hygiene and sanitation; Open defecation; Family practices; Health hazards
• ISSN: 2213-3984; 2213-3984
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cegh.2023.101486

Bihar is one of the focus states under Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) in India. A study was conducted to estimate the prevalence and to determine the factors associated with the practice of open defecation among adults having household toilets, in rural Patna, Bihar. An analytical cluster cross-sectional study was conducted for a duration of one year among 609 participants using cluster sampling in rural block of Patna. The prevalence was calculated with 95 % confidence interval and binary logistic regression analysis was done to determine factors associated with open defecation. Out of 609, 391(64.2 %, 95 % CI: 60–68 %) were practising open defecation despite having a household toilet. Male gender (AOR, 1.684; 95 % CI, 1.1–2.4), scheduled caste community (AOR, 2.168; 95 % CI, 1.3–3.4), family gross monthly income Rs. <7770 (AOR, 2.838; 95 % CI, 1.6–4.8), age of initiating toilet uses at age >35 years (AOR,1.453; 95%CI, 1.0–2.0), absence of government supply as water source (AOR: 2.106, 95 % CI: 1.088–3.410) were the independent factors associated with practice of open defecation. Nearly two-third of adults were practising OD despite having a household toilet. Male gender, schedule caste community, family gross monthly income Rs. <7770, age of initiating toilet uses at age >35 years, lack of government supply as water source were the factors associated with the practice ofOD.