Abstract:

Background: Water access and sanitation are two of the most fundamental critical urban services upon which people in cities depend. Lack of these pose a major threat of disease especially in low-and middle-income countries. Thus, the aim of this study was to understand the barriers to sanitation and hygiene among the ‘boda-boda’ drivers in Mwanza city.

Methods: This was a prospective community based cross sectional study which was carried out in Nyamagana District between September and October 2019. 197 participants were recruited through random sampling method. Data were collected using a pretested questionnaire.

Results: 27.05% had difficulties towards accessing latrines when they needed to use one. This was almost in parallel with 27.04% of the participants claiming latrines are not convenient in the community. 32.14% were not satisfied with the availability of clean latrines while 23.48% reported of being satisfied with their availability. Only 21.94% of the respondents reported of having financial difficulties towards latrine access. 91.32% acknowledged the hygienic nature of latrines. 67.35% claimed there are community laws or rules in place that make it more likely them to use a latrine every time they need to defecate or urinate. 84.69% showed great awareness towards realizing the importance of using latrines instead of the opposite.

Conclusion: The was inadequate latrine with good sanitation and hygiene facilities among the boda-boda drivers; together with lack of good education and there weren’t strict laws to enforce latrine use among the boda-boda drivers. The government should build more latrines which are clean and with good sanitation, educating the boda-boda on the importance of latrine use together with making strict laws that enforces latrine use among the boda-boda drivers.