THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC, CULTURAL, AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DETERMINANTS OF OPEN DEFECATION IN MALAM INNA, JAURO KUNA, AND TUDUN WADA IN GOMBE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA (LGA), GOMBE STATE

Abstract

Open defecation (OD) continues to pose significant public health and environmental challenges in Nigeria, particularly in rural and peri‑urban communities where sanitation facilities are inadequate. This study examines the socio‑economic, cultural, and infrastructural determinants of OD in Malam Inna, Jauro Kuna, and Tudun Wada within Gombe Local Government Area, Gombe State. A descriptive research design was employed, with data collected from 362 returned questionnaires, 91% response rate using structured questionnaires, field observations, and interviews. Quantitative analysis through SPSS provided insights into knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to sanitation. Findings reveal that poverty (51.1%) and inability to construct toilets (40.3%) are the most critical socio‑economic drivers of OD, while unemployment (28.2%) and limited awareness (20.4%) further contribute to its persistence. Cultural traditions (40.1%) and beliefs (30.9%) reinforce the practice, highlighting the role of social norms in sustaining poor sanitation behaviors. Infrastructural deficiencies, particularly the lack of public toilets (57.5%) and poor sanitation facilities (48.6%), exacerbate the problem, alongside inadequate waste disposal (37.0%) and insufficient water supply (33.4%). Encouragingly, 80.7% of respondents believe improved sanitation infrastructure would reduce OD, with building more toilets (40.3%) and public health campaigns (28.2%) identified as the most effective strategies. The study concludes that tackling OD requires a multi‑dimensional approach that integrates infrastructure development, economic support, cultural reorientation, and hygiene education. Such interventions are essential to achieving sustainable behavioral change and advancing progress toward national and global sanitation goals.