ABSTRACT The graphical abstract illustrates sanitation challenges in rural communities, including unimproved latrines, open defecation, limited financial capacity, and poor WASH conditions. The intervention involved community awareness activities, engagement of local artisans and suppliers, partnerships between NGOs and government institutions, and the use of community savings groups to support sanitation marketing. The study applied 230 household surveys, 28 key informant interviews, 5 focus group discussions, and an Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP)-based Sanitation Sustainability Index (SSI) assessment to evaluate the effectiveness and sustainability of the interventions. The findings showed toilet coverage of 94.78%, open defecation reduced to 5.22%, and an SSI score of 77%, with financial support and community participation identified as major contributors to sustainable rural sanitation improvement. Sustainable Development Goal 6.2 targets ending open defecation and ensuring access to adequate sanitation and hygiene. Even though about 3.4 billion people still lack safely managed sanitation services globally, particularly in rural areas. Prior research has mainly looked at household occupants and short-term effects of interventions, leaving uncertainty about the long-term sustainability of sanitation marketing and how key factors work together to sustain behavior change. To address this, the study examined the long-term sustainability of sanitation marketing projects in Mandwanga and Mnara wards in Mtama District, Lindi Region, Tanzania. It used a mixed-methods design, drawing quantitative data from 230 randomly selected households and qualitative data from 28 key informant interviews (KIIs) with government, NGOs, and sanitation providers as well as five focus group discussions (FGDs). Using descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), the study produced a composite sustainability score and a Sanitation Sustainability Index (SSI). Community engagement, affordability, and access to finance were identified as the most critical factors. The SSI of 77% suggests high sustainability and increased household investment, though financial barriers remain. Overall, the study supports strategies to maintain sanitation adoption and reduce or end open defecation.
Rutahiwa et al. (Wed,) studied this question.