Access to Basic Sanitation Services and Associated Factors Among Rural Households in South Achefer District, Northwest Ethiopia: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Safe water and sanitation are basic human needs and human rights. Lack of access to safe water and sanitation has been a major problem for the health and well-being of the people. In developing countries like Ethiopia, the proportion of people with access to improved sanitation is low. Information on household access to improved sanitation in some rural districts of Ethiopia is scarce. Objective: To assess access to basic sanitation services and associated factors in South Achefer district, Northwest Ethiopia 2023. Methodology: This study was conducted among the population of the South Achefer District, Northwest Ethiopia, using a cross-sectional study design. The study was conducted among 691 households selected using multistage and systematic random sampling. The data were entered into EpiData version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 23. Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the factors associated with access to basic sanitation services. Statistical significance was declared at a 95% confidence interval and a P -value <.05. Result: Only 19 households (2.7%; 95%CI: 1.6-4.1) were accessing basic sanitation services. The significant factors associated with access to basic sanitation services were smaller family size (AOR = 3.06; 95%CI: 1.04-8.98), merchant occupation (AOR = 3.18; 95%CI: 1.19-8.50), better knowledge about sanitation services (AOR = 3.07; 95%CI: 1.17-8.09), and positive attitude about sanitation services (AOR = 3.83; 95%CI: 1.46-10.00). Conclusion: The access rate to basic sanitation services in South Achefer District is extremely low compared to national and international standards. Family size, occupation, knowledge, and attitude about sanitation services were significant predictors of access to basic sanitation services.