By Suleiman Tajudeen
CITIZENS COMPASS— Open defecation in public places refers to the act of defecating in open areas, such as fields, forests, bushes, bodies of water, or other open spaces, rather than using a toilet or latrine. This behavior is often practiced due to lack of access to sanitation facilities, poor hygiene habits, or cultural and social norms.
On the other hand, public health is the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health and well-being through organized efforts of society.
It encompasses a range of activities, including health education, disease surveillance, sanitation, and environmental protection, aimed at improving the health and quality of life of the populace.
Major components of public health:
Health promotion: Activities designed to promote healthy behaviors, improve health literacy, and support individuals and communities in making informed health decisions.
Disease prevention: Measures taken to prevent the occurrence of disease, such as vaccination, screening, and health education.
Health protection: Activities aimed at protecting the public from health hazards, such as environmental pollution, infectious disease outbreaks, and unsafe food and water.
Health care: Services provided to individuals and communities to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases, including primary care, hospital care, and rehabilitation services.
Prevalence of open defecation:
Global: According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2020), approximately 673 million people worldwide practice open defecation.
Nigeria: Nigeria has the highest number of people practicing open defecation in the world, with an estimated 120 million people (2017).
Sub-Saharan Africa: 19 countries in sub-Saharan Africa are among the top 20 countries with the highest number of people practicing open defecation.
South Asia: India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh account for 60% of the world’s open defecation.
Urban-Rural Divide: Open defecation is more prevalent in rural areas 🐝(30%) compared to urban areas (10%).
Poverty link: 90% of people practicing open defecation live in poverty.
Lack of sanitation infrastructure: 2.3 billion people lack access to basic sanitation services.
School children: 50% of school children in sub-Saharan Africa lack access to basic sanitation facilities.
Refugees and displaced persons: Open defecation is common in refugee camps and areas with displaced persons.
Humanitarian crises: Open defecation is of major concern in humanitarian crises, such as conflict zones and natural disasters.
Major characteristics of open defecation
Open space: Open defecation occurs in open spaces, such as fields, forests, or bodies of water. Lack of Sanitation Facilities: Open defecation often occurs due to lack of access to sanitation facilities, such as toilets or latrines.
Human waste: Open defecation involves the disposal of human waste in an open space. Public Health Risk: Open defecation poses a significant public health risk, as it can contaminate water sources, soil, and air.
Environmental impact: Open defecation can pollute the environment and harm wildlife. Social Stigma: Open defecation can be a source of social stigma and shame.
Lack of privacy: Open defecation often occurs in areas with little or no privacy.
Inadequate waste management: Open defecation often occurs in areas with inadequate waste management systems.
Cultural and social norms: Open defecation is often perpetuated by cultural and social norms.
Lack of awareness: Open defecation often occurs due to a lack of awareness about the risks and consequences.
Historical perspective:
Global: Open defecation has been a persistent problem worldwide, particularly in developing countries.
Nigeria:
Open defecation has been a long-standing issue in Nigeria, with many communities lacking access to sanitation facilities.
Ancient civilizations: Open defecation was common in ancient civilizations, such as the Indus Valley Civilization.
Industrial revolution: Improved sanitation infrastructure emerged in Europe and North America during the Industrial Revolution.
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs): The MDGs aimed to reduce open defecation by half by 2015.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): The SDGs aim to eliminate open defecation by 2030.
Global Sanitation Initiatives: Various global initiatives, such as the Global Sanitation Fund, have been launched to address open defecation.
Nigerian government initiatives: The Nigerian government has launched initiatives, such as the National Open Defecation Free (ODF) campaign.
International cooperation: International organizations, such as UNICEF and WHO, have partnered with governments to address open defecation.
Community-Led Initiatives: Community-led initiatives, such as CLTS, have been successful in promoting sanitation and hygiene.
Types of open defecation
Open defecation in fields: Defecating in fields or agricultural areas.
Open defecation in forests: Defecating in forests or wooded areas.
Open defecation in bodies of water: Defecating in rivers, lakes, or other bodies of water.
Open defecation in public spaces: Defecating in public spaces, such as parks, markets, or streets.
Open defecation in urban areas: Defecating in urban areas, such as slums or informal settlements.
Open defecation in rural areas: Defecating in rural areas, such as villages or countryside.
Open defecation in schools: Defecating in schools or educational institutions.
Open defecation in workplaces: Defecating in workplaces or offices.
Open defecation in public transportation: Defecating in public transportation, such as buses or trains.
Open defecation in other areas: Defecating in other areas, such as beaches, parks, or recreational areas.
Effects of open defecation on public health:
Waterborne diseases: Open defecation contaminates water sources, leading to the spread of diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and diarrhea.
Soil Pollution: Open defecation pollutes the soil, contaminating crops and food.
Malnutrition: Open defecation contributes to malnutrition, particularly in children.
Anemia: Open defecation increases the risk of anemia, particularly in pregnant women.
Mental health: Open defecation can lead to mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression.
Public health risks: Open defecation poses significant public health risks, including the spread of diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and diarrhea.
Environmental pollution: Open defecation can pollute water sources, soil, and air.
Social and economic impacts: Open defecation can have significant social and economic impacts, including lost productivity and reduced economic growth.
Stigma and shame: Open defecation can perpetuate stigma and shame, particularly for women and girls.
Lack of dignity: Open defecation can deprive individuals of their dignity and human rights.
Increased risk of violence: Open defecation can increase the risk of violence, particularly for women and girls.
Negative impact on education: Open defecation can have a negative impact on education, particularly for girls.
Negative impact on health: Open defecation can have a negative impact on health, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Increased healthcare costs: Open defecation can increase healthcare costs, particularly for governments and households.
Reduced quality of life:
Prevention strategies for open defecation
Improve Sanitation Infrastructure: Invest in building and maintaining sanitation facilities.
Subsidies and incentives: Provide subsidies and incentives to encourage households to build and use sanitation facilities.
Policy and legislation: Develop and enforce policies and laws to support sanitation and hygiene.
Sanitation marketing: Promote sanitation products and services to increase demand and access.
School-based programmes: Implement school-based sanitation and hygiene programs.
Community engagement: Engage with communities to promote sanitation and hygiene.
Partnerships and collaboration: Foster partnerships between governments, NGOs, and private sector to address open defecation.
Monitoring and evaluation: Regularly monitor and evaluate progress towards eliminating open defecation.
Increase access to sanitation: Increase access to sanitation facilities, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Promote hygiene habits: Promote hygiene habits, such as handwashing and proper waste disposal.
Support sanitation programmes: Support sanitation programs, such as Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS).
Monitor progress: Monitor progress and evaluate the effectiveness of sanitation programs.
Address cultural and social norms: Address cultural and social norms that perpetuate open defecation.
Provide sanitation subsidies: Provide sanitation subsidies and incentives to encourage households to build and use sanitation facilities.
Major management strategies for open defecation
Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS): A community-based approach that empowers communities to take ownership of sanitation and hygiene.
Sanitation infrastructure development: Building and maintaining sanitation facilities, such as toilets and latrines.
Education and awareness: Educating communities about the risks of open defecation and promoting hygiene habits.
Social marketing: Promoting sanitation
Policy and legislation: Developing and implementing policies and laws to support sanitation and hygiene.
Sanitation subsidies: Providing subsidies and incentives to encourage households to build and use sanitation facilities.
Waste management: Improving waste management systems to prevent fecal contamination.
Hygiene promotion: Promoting hygiene habits, such as handwashing and proper waste disposal.
Monitoring and evaluation: Monitoring progress and evaluating the effectiveness of sanitation and hygiene initiatives.
Strategies to reduce the rate of open defecation in Nigeria and Globally
Nigeria-Specific Strategies
Implement Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS): CLTS is a community-based approach that empowers communities to take ownership of sanitation and hygiene.
Increase access to sanitation facilities: Invest in building and maintaining sanitation facilities, including toilets and latrines.
Promote hygiene education: Educate communities about the importance of hygiene and sanitation.
Engage with local leaders: Engage with local leaders and influencers to promote sanitation and hygiene.
Provide sanitation subsidies: Provide subsidies and incentives to encourage households to build and use sanitation facilities.
Improve Waste Management: Improve waste management systems to prevent fecal contamination.
Support sanitation marketing: Support sanitation marketing to increase demand for sanitation products and services.
Strengthen policy and legislation: Strengthen policy and….
To be continued….
Dr Suleiman Tajudeen is Director, Clinical Psychology, LUTH (Retired) & CEO/Director of Clinical Psychology, Clear Mind Psychological Consult, Km 15, Badagry Expressway, Ojo, Lagos State. +234 803 402 4457
