Linköping University, Linköping 58183, Sweden.
Health Place. 2011 Jan;17(1):57-66. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2010.08.012. Epub 2010 Aug 26.
The sanitation issue is entering the development discussion and the UN proclaimed 2008 the year of sanitation. The study aims to understand the cultural-spatial dimension among Muslim communities of excreting and recirculating human excreta in North West Frontier Province in Pakistan. Information on local perceptions and cultural understanding was collected through interviews, group discussions and observations in four selected villages. The study identifies a diversity of excreting practices among age groups and sexes, and varied adherence to expressed cultural norms. Interviewees express less resentment towards urine compared to faeces, however, their negative attitude subsides when faecal matter is mixed with water since this changes appearance, odour-and cultural meaning. Religious dictums about excreta and sewage accommodate contradicting routine behaviours to cater for needs of residents and farmers. For example, when mothers pray wearing soiled clothing, and in the use of wastewater as fertiliser for food production. The excreta-related practices are compatible with good hygienic behaviour as outlined by WHO Guidelines, except for children who are allowed to defecate anywhere.
环境卫生问题正进入发展讨论，联合国宣布 2008 年为环境卫生年。本研究旨在了解巴基斯坦西北边境省穆斯林社区在排泄和循环利用人类粪便方面的文化-空间维度。通过在四个选定村庄的访谈、小组讨论和观察，收集了有关当地看法和文化理解的信息。研究发现，不同年龄组和性别之间存在多种排泄方式，对所表达的文化规范的遵守程度也各不相同。受访者对尿液的反感程度低于粪便，但当粪便与水混合时，他们的负面态度会减轻，因为这会改变粪便的外观、气味和文化意义。关于粪便和污水的宗教教义允许与日常行为相矛盾，以满足居民和农民的需求。例如，当母亲穿着脏衣服祈祷时，以及在使用废水作为粮食生产的肥料时。除了允许儿童随地排便外，这些与粪便有关的做法与世界卫生组织指南所概述的良好卫生行为是一致的。
