Factors influencing open defecation (Indonesia)

This study aims to determine the influence of psychosocial factors that can mediate the relationship between individual characteristics and open defecation behavior in North Bassesangtempe District in South Sulawesi Province in Indonesia. The dependent, mediating and independent variables were reduced using the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) method and further tested by regression techniques and mediation analysis using a process macro non- parametric statistical test. The results show that psychosocial factors can mediate well the relationship between individual characteristics and open defecation behavior. The psychosocial attitude factor has a very large effect on the practice of open defecation. The more the individual thinks that the practice of defecating in the latrine takes less time, the more the individual wants to practice defecation in the latrine, as a result, the number of open defecation practices can decrease. Norm psychosocial factors also have a significant effect on open defecation behavior. The more the individual has embedded in his/her mind that the practice of defecating in the latrine is a must or obligation, the more he/she will practice defecating in the latrine resulting in decrease of open defecation practices. Individual characteristics through psychosocial self-regulation factors have a significant effect but are not in line with open defecation behavior. The higher the individual characteristic index value through psychosocial self- regulation factors, the higher the number of open defecation practices. Consequently, the commitment will increase along with the increase in individual awareness of the importance of defecating in the latrine.