Statistical Analysis of Open Defecation Practices and their Socioeconomic Determinants in Osun State, Nigeria
Keywords:
Osun-State, Chi-square test, socio-economic factors, Ordinal regression, OD practice, Open defecationAbstract
Abstract— Open defecation, the act of relieving oneself in open spaces instead of using a toilet, poses significant public health challenges. It contributes to the spread of diseases like diarrhea, typhoid, and cholera, especially in areas where toilets or latrines are underutilized. This study provides an in-depth analysis of the factors influencing open defecation practices among households in Osun State, Nigeria. Adopting a cross-sectional design, data were collected using a well-structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. Chi-square analysis revealed significant associations between open defecation and education level (χ² = 67.280, p < 0.001, Cramer's V = 0.259), occupation (χ² = 368.189, p < 0.001, Cramer's V = 0.607), and household size (χ² = 182.066, p < 0.001, Cramer's V = 0.427). Ordinal regression analysis indicated that individuals with no formal education were significantly more likely to practice open defecation compared to those with postgraduate education (B = 2.701, p < 0.001). Despite 66.3% of households having toilet facilities, 73.7% reported practicing open defecation, primarily due to water unavailability (31.1%) and lack of functioning facilities (29.4%).
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