Characteristics of sanitation and hygiene facilities in a slum community in Kampala, Uganda

Background: This study assessed characteristics of sanitation and hygiene facilities in a slum community in Kampala, Uganda. Methods: We conducted a household-based cross-sectional study among 395 households in Kasubi slum using a semi-structured questionnaire and observational checklist to collect data. Results: Almost 98.0% (387/395) of households owned a sanitation facility and 77.0% (298/387) shared it with other households. The most common type of sanitation facility was a pit latrine with slab (66.9% [259/387]). Most (90.5% [305/337]) latrines had a door or shutter, a roof (92.9% [313/337]) and a depth >1.5 m (68.2% [229/337]). Overall, 21.3% (84/395) and 65.6% (259/395) of households had improved and functional sanitation facilities, respectively. Only 16.5% (65/395) of the households had a hand-washing facility. Student-led (adjusted prevalence rate [PR] 2.67 [95% confidence interval [CI] 1.83-3.94]) and households that owned their house (adjusted PR 2.17 [95% CI 1.33-3.53]) were 2.67 and 2.17 times more likely to have improved sanitation facilities, respectively. Households that owned their house (adjusted PR 1.90 [95% CI 1.18-3.05]) were 1.9 times more likely to possess a hand-washing facility. Conclusions: The coverage of improved sanitation and hygiene facilities was low. The majority of households were using a shared pit latrine with a slab that had no hand-washing facility. Sanitation and hygiene interventions should prioritize improving sanitation and hygiene facilities.

Automated summary

This study in a slum community in Kampala, Uganda, found low coverage of improved sanitation and hygiene facilities, with most households using shared pit latrines with no hand-washing facility. The importance of improving sanitation and hygiene facilities was emphasized.