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. 2021 Oct 21;18(21):11092.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph182111092.

Formative Research to Design a Child-Friendly Latrine in Bangladesh

Tarique Md Nurul Huda  1 , Tania Jahir  1 , Sushobhan Sarker  1 , Farzana Yeasmin  1 , Abdullah Al Masud  1 , Jesmin Sultana  1 , Jyoti Bhushan Das  1 , Fosiul Alam Nizame  1 , Elli Leontsini  2 , Abul Kasham Shoab  1 , Laura H Kwong  3 , Mahbubur Rahman  1 , Stephen P Luby  4 , Peter J Winch  2
Affiliations

Formative Research to Design a Child-Friendly Latrine in Bangladesh

Tarique Md Nurul Huda et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

In low- and middle-income countries, most latrines are not accessible to young children. We explored how to modify existing pit latrines to make them child friendly. We conducted four focus group discussions with mothers to explore barriers to child latrine use. We then enrolled 20 households with a child aged 3-7 years old to test six enabling technologies developed based on the identified barriers. Two to three weeks after installing the selected enabling technologies in each household, researchers conducted 19 in-depth interviews with caregivers to explore the technologies' acceptance and feasibility. Common barriers included the discomfort of squatting on a large pan, fear of darkness, and fear of a slippery floor. Of the potential solutions, a ring to stabilize the child while squatting in the latrine was preferred by children and was affordable and available. A wooden board with a smaller hole than the usual pan reduced fears of falling and helped eliminate discomfort but was inconvenient to handle and clean. A transparent fiberglass roof tile was affordable, available, increased visibility, and kept the latrine floor dry. In conclusion, the fiberglass roof tile and stability ring were two affordable and locally available technologies that facilitated latrine use by children aged 3-7 years.

Keywords: Bangladesh; child-friendly; latrine; sanitation; young children.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study, in the data collection, analysis, or interpretation of the data, in the writing of the report, or in the decision to submit the article for publication. The corresponding author had full access to the data for this study and had final responsibility for the decision to submit for publication.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Enabling technologies from the two trials of improved practices. Technology-1: Iron ring hanging with rope inside the latrine to hold while squatting; Technology-2: Wooden seat placed on the pan to reduce the distance between children’s feet while squatting; Technology-3: Cartoon image with hygiene message to attract children inside the latrine; Technology-4: Transparent fiberglass roof tile to address children’s fear of the darkness; Technology-5: Wooden seat with the handle placed on the pan to make children sit comfortably; Technology-6: Stair to facilitate latrine access.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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