Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Resource and Environmental Science, Egerton University, Nakuru, Kenya.
Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Egerton University, Nakuru, Kenya.
BMC Public Health. 2019 Jan 15;19(1):68. doi: 10.1186/s12889-019-6403-3.
Pit latrine operational management and sludge accumulation rate, presents a challenging sanitation problem in low-income urban settlements. However, these challenges have been under-researched. This study was carried out between December 2014 and September 2015 in Nakuru, Kenya. Its objectives were to determine pit latrine management activities and content accumulation rates.
A longitudinal design was used to study 100 households and their respective pit latrines. Sludge accumulation in 73 pit latrines was monitored for 10 months using a digital laser range-finder. Data analysis included normality testing and descriptive statistics. Differences in fill up across and within the study areas were analysed using one-way analysis of variance and the Fisher's Exact Test used to determine areas with significant differences.
Sixty-one percent of the pit latrines were used as solid waste disposal points while 45% of the respondents had no hygiene awareness. The annual fill-up rate and individual sludge contribution were 0.87 ± 0.20 m and 41.82 l respectively. The sludge accumulation rates across the study areas had statistically significant mean differences (p < 0.05).
Operational management and design affect the fill-up rates and post fill-up management operations. This study argues for a need to link information and awareness to users, construction artisans, property owners and local authorities on appropriate vault volumes and management practices. Linking the variables would ensure efficient sanitation service delivery and public health protection.
在低收入城市住区，粪坑的运营管理和淤渣积累率是一个具有挑战性的环境卫生问题。然而，这些挑战还没有得到充分研究。本研究于 2014 年 12 月至 2015 年 9 月在肯尼亚纳库鲁进行，目的是确定粪坑管理活动和淤渣积累率。
采用纵向设计，研究了 100 户家庭及其各自的粪坑。使用数字激光测距仪监测 73 个粪坑中的淤渣积累情况，持续 10 个月。数据分析包括正态性检验和描述性统计。使用单向方差分析和 Fisher 精确检验分析研究区域之间和内部的填满差异，以确定具有显著差异的区域。
61%的粪坑被用作固体废物处置点，而 45%的受访者没有卫生意识。年填满率和个体淤渣贡献分别为 0.87±0.20 m 和 41.82 l。研究区域的淤渣积累率存在统计学上的显著差异（p<0.05）。
运营管理和设计会影响填满率和填满后的管理操作。本研究认为，需要向用户、建筑工匠、业主和地方当局提供有关适当拱顶体积和管理实践的信息和意识。将这些变量联系起来可以确保高效的环境卫生服务提供和公共卫生保护。
