Leave no one behind: accessibility to Latrine and handwashing facilities during working hours among “boda-boda” drivers in Mwanza city

Background: Access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene are essential urban services critical for public health. Inadequate provision of these services poses significant health risks, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Mwanza City in Tanzania faces considerable challenges in providing sanitation services to both the general public and mobile occupational groups such as boda-boda drivers. These drivers, due to their mobility and frequent interaction with the public, may contribute to the transmission of diseases, particularly those transmitted via the fecal-oral route. This study aims to assess the level of accessibility to sanitation and hygiene facilities among boda-boda drivers in Mwanza City, with a focus on achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Nyamagana District, involving 196 randomly selected boda-boda drivers. Data were collected using a pretested questionnaire and analyzed descriptively for frequency distribution, proportions, percentages, and mean ± SD. Multivariate analysis was employed to identify significant predictor variables. Results: Approximately 27.05% of participants reported difficulties accessing latrines when needed, while a similar percentage (27.04%) expressed dissatisfaction with the convenience of latrines and handwashing facilities in the community. Multivariate analysis which considered significant predictor of the study and the test between subject-effects of MANOVA highlighted the significant impact of encountering unclean toilets on toilet usage, with a p-value of 0.04. Additionally, the availability of toilet services and the implementation of specific regulations emerged as influential factors in determining toilet usage. Conclusion The utilization of latrine and handwashing facilities among boda-boda drivers during working hours is influenced by the availability of clean toilet services and the existence of appropriate regulations. Efforts should focus on ensuring the accessibility of clean facilities and establishing effective regulatory frameworks to promote proper sanitation practices among this mobile occupational group.