Child defecation, feces disposal practices and associated factors in community-led total sanitation adopted districts in Jimma Zone, Ethiopia

Waste from infected individuals can contaminate the soil and water of the community without adequate sanitation facilities, increasing the risk of infection for other individuals. The objective of this study was to assess child feces disposal status and associated factors in community-led total sanitation (CLTS) adopted districts of the Jimma Zone, Ethiopia. This study analyzed comparative cross-section secondary data from 756 households systematically selected in two chosen districts (Kersa and Omo Nadda) of Jimma Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia in 2018 by our research team. The data used was obtained by interviewing mothers/caregivers using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. About 80% of mothers/caregivers of CLTS adopted kebeles (the smallest administrative structure) and 58.7% of non-CLTS kebeles had practiced safe child feces disposal practices. Compared to their counterparts, the use of unimproved latrine form (AOR=0.45; 95% CI: 0.24–0.83) and location of drinking water storage containers elevated above the floor (OR=0.02; 95% CI: 0.05–0.88) had a negative association with safe disposal practices of child feces. However, among mothers/caregivers indexed as medium (AOR=1.64; 95% CI: 1.03–2.61), rich (AOR=2.17; 95% CI: 1.29–3.66), live with children under five vulnerable to diarrhea (AOR= 1.54; 95% CI: 1.02–2.52) and owned toilet without a handwashing facility (AOR= 2.44; 95% CI: 1.49–3.98), the likelihood of safe child feces disposal practices was increased. In conclusion, our study shows that the study participants' safe child feces disposal status was comparatively higher in CLTS adopted kebeles, but the difference was not significant in the final model