Perceptions of sanitation structures among poor populations in Lusaka, Zambia: A qualitative study

Abstract: Only 40% of Zambia’s population has access to improved sanitation facilities. The remaining 60% (mostly people residing in peri-urban areas) share or use unimproved facilities; with others still practicing open defecation. 96% of Kalingalinga households use unimproved pit latrines. The Kalingalinga sanitation project was targeted at improving sanitation access to over 5,000 households through the construction of a condominial sewerage network. The first part of the project comprised of 156 households who are the main target for this research. The purpose of this research was to explore the households’ views about constructing their own flush toilets and connecting them to the sewerage network. The Psychological theories of social cognitive theory, theory of reasoned action and theory of planned behavior were employed to explain and understand respondents’ perceptions and behavior. 13 semi-structured interviews and three focus group discussions (one each for women, men and combined men and women) were conducted. In total, 32 respondents participated in the study. Major findings reveal respondents’ lack of trust in the new sewerage network, affordability, dependency on husband or children to fund toilet construction, lack of prioritizing flush toilets and multiple households as perceived hindrances behind respondents’ failure to construct their own flush toilets. However, findings also reveal that respondents had better understanding of health benefits of having flush toilets as sanitation facilities compared to pit latrines.