Explore linkages between shared sanitation facilities and socio-economic drivers: a case study from South Twenty-four Parganas, West Bengal

Background Access to adequate sanitation remains a global challenge, with nearly 4.2 billion people lacking hygienic facilities. This issue is particularly acute in low and middle-income countries, where it is associated with various communicable diseases. In India, regional disparities in sanitation access persist, especially in economically backward areas. Therefore, this study examines to assess the health implications of shared sanitation facilities with various socio-economic factors. Data and methods Data for this study were collected from 635 households across 10 villages in West Bengal using a structured questionnaire and a purposive sampling technique. In this study, we have employed binary logistic regression models to examine the association between shared sanitation facilities and various socioeconomic factors. Findings The study revealed that 95.12% of households had access to sanitation facilities within their premises. However, 4.88% of households still practiced open defecation and 7.40% of households share their sanitation facilities. Regression analysis showed that households with > 8 members were 5.30 times more likely to share facilities than those with 1–4 members (p < 0.05). Muslim-headed households were 1.68 times more likely to share facilities than Hindu-headed households (p < 0.10), while illiterate households were 1.23 times more likely than highly educated ones (p < 0.05). Middle-income households were 27% less likely to share than low-income households (p < 0.10), and semi-pucca houses were 14% less likely than kutcha houses (p < 0.10). The study also revealed Shared sanitation was also linked to higher prevalence of waterborne diseases in villages with poor social infrastructure. Conclusion Despite high sanitation coverage, shared sanitation facilities and open defecation remain prevalent in the region. Socioeconomic factors, particularly education, income, and household size, significantly influence sanitation practices. Therefore, targeted interventions are crucial to minimize the health risks. Prioritizing education on hygiene practices, improving economic conditions to facilitate private facility construction, and enhancing social infrastructure are essential strategies.