100 Acres Free, Why Need Latrines
Journal Title: Journal of Quality in Health Care & Economics (JQHE) - Year 2024, Vol 7, Issue 6
Abstract
The “100 Acres” case study in Badulla district Sri Lanka illustrates the challenges of implementing sanitation projects in culturally sensitive areas. In 2000, the Regional Director of Health Services discovered funds for latrine construction, aimed at reducing open defecation and improving sanitation in the district. Open defecation was recognized as a health risk, leading to diseases like soil-transmitted helminths, diarrhea, and effects on outside health. The initial plan targeted schools, but the apathy of the principal became evident when he indicated that the surrounding open land was sufficient for the sanitary purposes of students, underscoring a lack of buy-in for latrines. Shifting the focus to plantations, where open defecation was more common, the project collaborated with plantation managers to identify needy areas. Although latrines were built and well-maintained, only a small percentage were used as intended. Through interviews, reasons for non-usage included cultural preferences for open, airy spaces and discomfort with enclosed areas. The project then employed a behavioral change strategy, moving through a phased approach to gradually ease residents into using latrines. The community gradually adjusted to the change, starting with open pits and adding incremental structures like partial walls and eventually a roof. This method allowed for a more culturally sensitive approach to sanitation, increasing usage over time. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding community values and involving residents in project design. Behavioral change is a slow process that requires trust and adaptation, especially in projects that alter daily habits. By respecting cultural preferences and implementing phased adoption, the project achieved more sustainable outcomes, demonstrating the necessity of aligning health interventions with local norms for genuine impact.
Authors and Affiliations
Rajapaksa Hewageegana NS*
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP759154
- DOI 10.23880/jqhe-16000421
- Views 22
- Downloads 0
Structural Inequalities: Obstacles to Promoting Collective Health
Health, illness and care are socially determined, varying according to times, places and cultures, so that the organization of actions, health services and social support networks needs to be planned and managed accordin...
Large Language Models in Medical Education and Quality Concerns
The world is witnessing increased digitalization in the recent past.
The Health Equity Dilemma and the Well-being Economy: Are We on the Right Track?
“The difficulty lies, not in the new ideas, but in escaping from the old ones, which ramify, for those brought up as most of us have been, into every corner of our minds.” John Meynard Keynes (1936).
Challenges Facing the Department of Health Economics in Contributing to Health Planning in Sudan: A Case Study
Introduction: Health planning is crucial for health sector to ensure better health provision for the people so the engagement of different aspects like economics concept is very important. This study examines the challen...
The Health of Women Living in Rural Settlements: The Women of the Mandacaru Settlement
The health of women living in rural settlements in Brazil goes through a diversity of situations that requires intensity and dedication, as it goes through the struggle for land, housing, survival. These women struggle f...