Gemeinschaftsmedizin und Gesundheitserziehung

Abstrakt

Excreta-Related Infections and the Role of Latrines to Control the Transmission in Ethiopia

Samuel F

Unimproved sanitation facilities and open defecation practices are common factors for the occurrence of excreta related infections (ERIs) in Ethiopia. These diseases can easily be controlled if every person uses a properly constructed and improved latrine system. Hence, the objective of this review is to assess the current status of ERIs and the role of latrines to control the transmission. Excreta related infections were high in burden as compared to the global situation. This is directly related to the access and use of improved sanitation facilities. In Ethiopia only 27% of the current population has access to improved latrines, which is below the expected outcome. Moreover, the reports showed inter-urban and urban-rural disparities in access to improved latrines. Reduction of ERIs morbidity was reported in different studies after latrine construction. In conclusion, it is already obvious that escalation of latrine coverage and awareness to the society about sanitation, maintenance of latrines improve the burden of these infections. Hence, government concerned bodies, health extension programmers and the society together should work to reduce sanitary related disease by scale up low cost sanitary technologies.