Latrine use among rural households in northern Ethiopia: a case study in Hawzien district, Tigray

The present study was carried out in the rural community of Hawzien district of Ethiopia to assess the pattern of use of dry pit latrines by households and the associated factors. The study shows that only 37.4% of the households used them consistently. The rest of the households cited cultural beliefs (44%), foul smell (22.6%) and inconvenience of use (17.8%) as the major reasons for the non-use of latrines. Illiteracy in male heads of households, low monthly income and non-enrolment of households under any sanitation project by local administration were found to be the other factors for the non-use of latrines. Short distance from the households to the nearest health care institution and presence of latrines within the compounds of houses were positive factors associated with their use. Therefore, expanding and continuing components of the health care programme related to hygiene and sanitation is crucial for increasing the rate of latrine use in the study area.