Original Research Article
Year: 2020 | Month: April | Volume: 7 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 413-417
Assessment of Sanitation Practices of Primary School Pupils in Abuja, Nigeria
Amadi, C.O.A.1, Yakubu, M.B.2, Iro, O.K.3, Azuamah, Y.C.4, Amadi, A.N.1, Ukah, A.2
1Department of Public Health, Federal University of Technology, Owerri
2Environmental Health Council of Nigeria, Abuja
3Department of Public Health, Abia State University Uturu
4Department of Optometry, Federal University of Technology, Owerri
Corresponding Author: Amadi, C.O.A
ABSTRACT
Good sanitation practices in schools are a pathway to better performing children. The objective of this study was to investigate the sanitation practices of primary school pupils in schools located in Abuja, Nigeria. The study was a cross-sectional descriptive study. A total of 1,514 pupils from 24 schools in Abuja were selected using the multistage sampling technique. They were given questionnaires to fill out after getting parental consent. Results obtained showed that 1114 (73.6%) pupils responded “yes” to having toilets in their schools while 400 responded “no”. Two hundred and twenty-nine (15.1%) pupils used pit latrine; 404 (26.7%) used ventilated improved pit latrine; 528 (34.9%) used pour flush toilet; 69 (4.6%) used bucket latrine; and 54 (3.6%) used the open field. Four hundred and forty-five pupils said they had 0-2 toilets in their school; 3-5 toilets, 394 (26.0%); 6-8 toilets, 357 (23.6%); 9-10 toilets, 38 (2.5%); above 10 toilets, 280 (18.5%). Two hundred and forty-six (16.2%) pupils said their toilets in school was washed once a week; 246 (16.2%) said their school toilets were washed twice a week; 265 (17.5%) was once a month and 757 (50%) said their school toilets was washed every day. Seven hundred and fifty-six (49.9%) pupils said the generated waste from their school was disposed by open burning; 144 (9.5%) said landfill; 158 (10.4%) said recycling; and 36 (2.4%) said incineration. The level of sanitation among the primary school pupils was found to be unsatisfactory. Government intervention was recommended to improve the level of sanitation practices.
Keywords: Sanitation, Pupils, Toilet, Water, Waste, Excreta disposal
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