Prevalence and Factors associated with unimproved sanitation in Kirehe district, Rwanda

Adelite Dusabimana

doi:10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i04.84623

Prevalence and Factors associated with unimproved sanitation in Kirehe district, Rwanda

Author(s)	Mr. Adelite Dusabimana
Country	Rwanda
Abstract	Worldwide, the disease burden associated with poor water, sanitation, and hygiene is estimated to account for 4.0% of all deaths and 5.7% of the total disease burden in disability-adjusted life year. This study aimed at determining the prevalence of unimproved sanitation and associated factors among community households in Kirehe district. The findings will add to the growing body of knowledge needed for improved sanitation and prevention of infectious disease like cholera and diarrhea especially by the Ministry of Health and Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) and showed the prevalence of unimproved sanitation in rural community households in order to know how far the problem is and plan for intervention. Furthermore, this study provided baseline information regarding prevalence of unimproved sanitation and associated factors which may be used for further researchers. A cross-sectional study was employed using mixed methods with quantitative and qualitative data collection approaches. The quantitative approach of data collection method has been conducted and then qualitative approach has been be followed. A structured questionnaire has been used to collect quantitative data and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) has been conducted to collect the qualitative data. The study population consisted of household heads or their representatives and key informants from the study area of Kirehe district. For quantitative the total sample size was 271 households while for qualitative data, a total of three FGDs with eight (8) participants has been conducted among twenty-four (24) rural community members of Kirehe district. Multistage and simple random sampling methods have been used for quantitative part while for qualitative method; purposive sampling method has been used. Raw data from the questionnaire have been entered into EPI data and transported into SPSS version 22 for analysis. Descriptive statistics has been used to tabulate and describe the data and Bivariate analysis to assess the association between independent and dependent categorical variables were carried out using Chi square (X2). The strengths of the associations have been determined with multiple logistic regressions. Inference has been made using a 95% confidence interval and a p-value < 0.05. The results have been presented in frequency, cross tabulation tables, and pie charts and qualitative data have been analyzed using manual. The results showed that 64.6% of respondents were male household heads. The results showed that only 16.2% were below 30 years old, most of the respondent’s equivalent to 40.6% were between 40-50 years and 12.2% were aged between 30-40 years whereas 31% are above 50 years old. The findings from the study revealed that more households (68.3%) responded that they had improved sanitation whereas 31.7% responded that they did not have improved sanitation. The prevalence of unimproved sanitation in Kirehe District is 31.7%. Findings revealed that households headed by male are more likely to have improved sanitation facilities (AOR=1.66, 95% CI :1.168-3.447, P=0.009). Respondents who completed secondary education and above were 3.40 times more likely to have improved sanitation compared to those who did primary education. Households with respondents aged 30 to 40 were 62% more likely to have improved sanitation. The findings revealed that households with four and more members were less likely to have improved sanitation (AOR=0.57, 95%CI: 0.145-0.803, P=0.002) Respondents with average monthly income Between 50,000 and 100,000 Rwfs are 2.72 times more likely to have improved sanitation. Since the level improved sanitation in rural areas of KIREHE was found to be less than the national level, there is a need of continued mobilization the community members about the importance of improved sanitation facilities.
Keywords	Improved sanitation; Unimproved sanitation; Household sanitation; Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH); Associated factors; Rural households; Kirehe District; Rwanda.
Field	Sociology > Health
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 4, July-August 2026
Published On	2026-08-05
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i04.84623

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Prevalence and Factors associated with unimproved sanitation in Kirehe district, Rwanda

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