Thesis

Socio-cultural aspects of ecological sanitation in Chikhwawa district, rural Malawi

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Awarding institution
  • University of Strathclyde
Date of award
  • 2010
Thesis identifier
  • T13110
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Abstract
  • A household survey was conducted in the rural district of Chikhwawa, Southern Malawi, to determine the socio-cultural aspects of ecological sanitation eight months after a subsidized promotional project of ecological latrines was launched in the district. Standard interviews were conducted with 400 randomly selected households. Their responses were validated and cross-checked with physical observations and focus group discussions. Results show that only 3% of all households had constructed the Arborloo. Ownership of the Arborloos was significantly higher among educated respondents, those who were married and in male-headed households. Age, sex, and religion of respondents were found not to be important social factors that influence ownership of neither pit latrines nor the Arborloo. Construction of household latrines is regarded as a man's job. Most people prefer the traditional pit latrine to the Arborloo as the latter is regarded as a temporary sanitation facility. Defecation in the bush appears to be a well established norm. Male respondents had a higher knowledge of the fertiliser value of human excreta than females. Although most people expressed willingness to use human excreta to fertilize their gardens and eat the food produced, it remains to be seen whether they can actually do so. The current low uptake of the Arborloos casts doubt on the acceptability of latrine compost and urine for agricultural use. However, those willing to eat food grown in human excreta (both faeces and urine) were 10.03 times more likely to use human excreta in their gardens than those who would not accept (PR: 10.03; 95% CI: 4.00-28.29; 2 = 37.10; p<0.0000000). Faecophobia was one of the reasons for people's unwillingness to use human excreta. Community training on how to use o human excreta, coupled with demonstration plots, could increase knowledge and change people's perceptions and attitudes towards ecological sanitation in rural Malawi.
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DOI
Date Created
  • 2010
Former identifier
  • 946462

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