Why wash-related SDGS will fail: A review of public attitudes and perceptions toward water and sanitation practices in riverine and non-riverine communities

Abstract

The study attempts to understand public attitude towards water and sanitation in riverine and non-riverine parts of Akwa Ibom State. The coastal region of the state is besetted by a network of some sets of attitudes and socio-cultural influences which translate into the behavior of occupant on matters related to Water and Sanitation, while the non-riverine areas are also finding it difficult to comply with water, sanitation and hygiene practices, residents in major urban centres, public institutions, shop owners, street hawkers and road side vendors. In order to explore the reason WASH related SDGS is driving towards its graveyard, perceptions of people were analysed at riverine and non-riverine areas. Four research objectives were outlined in line with scientific approach using interview, questionnaires and personal observation. 400 copies of questionnaires were administered to the concerned communities using the youth, elderly people, chiefs and migrants as targeted population. Chi-square using SPSS statistical package was used to assessed the impact of public attitude on water and sanitation services. The results revealed a calculated value of 268.508a, degree of freedom (df) of 14 and a P-value (2-sided) of 0.000, indicating that there is significant impact of public attitude and perception on water and sanitation in Akwa Ibom State using SPSS. It was also noted that fewer people and organisations had sanitary facilities such as toilet, water point and bathroom in their residents which affect the progress of WASH policies. At the places visited, the level of utilization of WASH infrastructures was poor owing to the different attitude people holds on water and hygiene at community setting. It was realized that public perception plays a significant role when considering handling complex issues bordering societal norms and traditions. Some of the identified views were long standing belief on open defecation, constructing standard toilets and bathroom is a misplaced priority etc. Hence, it was recommended that government, NGO and local authority should strengthen WASH services’ investment in the region. In addition, WASH ambassadors should extend their sensitization projects to workplaces including schools, market, fishing settlements and others for an optimal performance.