CULTURAL FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ADOPTION OF WATER, SANITATION AND HYGIENE PRACTICES IN TURKANA SOUTH SUB-COUNTY, KENYA
CULTURAL FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ADOPTION OF WATER, SANITATION AND HYGIENE PRACTICES IN TURKANA SOUTH SUB-COUNTY, KENYA
Akolong Ikone Godfrey - Master of Science (Environmental Health), Kenyatta University, Kenya
Dr. Anthony Wanjohi Nyambura - Kenyatta University, Kenya
Dr. Isabell Wairimu King’ori - Kenyatta University, Kenya
ABSTRACT
Cultural norms and beliefs can influence whether households accept and consistently practise recommended water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) behaviours. This article examines cultural factors associated with household WASH adoption in Turkana South Sub-County, Kenya, drawing on a broader analytical cross-sectional study of household WASH practices. Quantitative data were obtained from 337 households, representing an 87.8% response rate from 384 households approached. Qualitative evidence was collected through six key informant interviews and five focus group discussions. Household WASH adoption was assessed across safe water practices, sanitation and excreta management, hand hygiene, environmental hygiene, personal hygiene and food hygiene. The mean overall adoption score was 48.763%; 54.9% of households were classified as having low adoption, 35.6% moderate adoption and 9.5% high adoption. Cultural influences were not uniformly restrictive. Community approval of safe WASH practices (mean = 4.662), encouragement by religious leaders (mean = 4.617) and support from elders for latrine construction and use (mean = 4.558) were prominent supportive influences. At the same time, gendered responsibility for water collection, beliefs that visibly clear water is safe without treatment, and taboos concerning shared latrines could constrain adoption. In an adjusted ordinal logistic regression model, a more supportive cultural-factor score was associated with higher WASH adoption (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.912, 95% CI [1.307, 2.796], p = .001). Because the study was cross-sectional and conducted in Turkana South, the findings indicate association rather than causation and should not be generalised uncritically to all of Turkana County. The article recommends culturally responsive WASH programming that works with trusted leaders, addresses gendered decision-making, communicates the limits of visual water assessment, and designs sanitation facilities around users’ privacy and social needs.
