Influence of socio-economic factors and technological suitability on FSM (Kenya)

The aims of the study were to examine the influence of social factors on faecal emptying, conveyance and disposal, to establish the influence of economic factors on faecal emptying, conveyance and disposal and, to assess technological suitability of faecal emptying, conveyance and disposal in on-site sanitation facilities in Meru slums. It was established that all the three variables, that is social factors, economic factors, and technological suitability had a significant positive association with faecal emptying, conveyance, and disposal. It was further found that, social factors, economic factors, and technological suitability explained 35.4%, 29.0%, and 7.3% respectively of the changes in faecal emptying, conveyance, and disposal. Findings showed that only 31% of slum dwellers emptied latrine pits and that manual emptying was more common (84%) than mechanical emptying because of its cost efficiency, reliability and the effectiveness in handling all nature of materials contained in pits. The study concluded that the inability to meet the costs associated with faecal emptying, conveyance and disposal services facilitated poor sanitation status in slums. There is need to sensitize the slum community on the benefits of practicing safe management of faecal waste.