| dc.description.abstract | Globally, 2.4 billion people lack access to sanitation facilities and 946 million practice open
defecation, with majority being in Africa. Zambia has one of the lowest accesses to sanitation
and hygiene facilities on the continent. The open defecation free Zambia by 2020 strategy aims
to move Zambia into an open defecation free nation through community led total sanitation
(CLTS). Understanding factors that shape implementation of the CLTS is crucial to improving
its acceptability among communities. However, they are limited studies in this regard. This study
sought to identify barriers and enablers to implementation as well as explore community
attitudes towards CLTS in Monze District. The study used a qualitative explorative study design
and was conducted in two purposively selected chiefdoms with low sanitation coverage in
Monze District. The sample size included 15 key informant interviews and two Focus Group
Discussions conducted with the chiefdom sanitation action groups. The data was transcribed and
indexed into various themes using Nvivo 11 Plus qualitative software.
Enablers to CLTS implementation included community sensitization, material support, punitive
action, and eliciting a feeling of shame among community offenders. The barriers included poor
soils, inadequate human resource, lack of financial motivation, inadequate support from local
leaders, lack of building materials and transport shortage. Poor individual behaviour/attitude and
lack of knowledge were some of the negative attitudes among selected community members. The
community generally accepted CLTS, viewed it to have reduced water- borne diseases such as
diarrhoea after its introduction. It was also perceived to have increased knowledge/awareness
with a deeper understanding of CLTS through the triggering process.
The planning of CLTS intervention can utilize insights from the current study, which can serve
as a framework for deciding which factors should be considered. Future research and programs
should consider focusing on routinely collecting household level data on indicators of sanitation
so that they can measure incremental progress in these communities.
Keywords: Barriers, community, enablers, sanitation, Monze, Zambia | en |
