SOCIO-ECONOMIC DETERMINANTS OF OPEN DEFECATION IN LAPAI COMMUNITY: A POLICY PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Open defecation persists as a critical public health and environmental challenge in rural areas, including Lapai Community, due to socio-economic barriers and ineffective policy interventions. This study examined socio-economic determinants of open defecation in Lapai Community: A policy perspective. Adopting a descriptive survey design, data were collected from 315 respondents using structured questionnaires. The study is grounded in the human capabilities approach, which focuses on enhancing individuals' freedoms and capabilities to achieve essential outcomes, such as access to proper sanitation. This framework highlights the interplay between material resources, education, and public policy in shaping sanitation practices. The findings reveal that socio-economic factors, including poverty, unemployment, and limited education, are major contributors to the persistence of open defecation. Additionally, the study finds that current poverty alleviation policies have failed to make significant impacts due to inadequate implementation and a lack of community-specific strategies. This underscores the need for policies that address both the financial and educational barriers to improved sanitation. The study recommends the development of integrated approaches combining subsidies for sanitation facilities, targeted public health education, and active community participation. Such strategies can empower communities to adopt sustainable sanitation practices, thereby reducing open defecation.