ETHICO-MEDICAL IMPLICATIONS OF OPEN DEFECATION IN A MULTI-RELIGIOUS SOCIETY: A STUDY OF THREE COMMUNITIES IN IBADAN, OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The practice of open defecation is a hazardous environmental and public health challenge that is currently attracting a global concern, also being investigated from a multidisciplinary backdrop. Through a cross sectional descriptive approach involving 50% Christians, 36% Muslims and 15% traditionalists of the chosen sample size,  the study explored  the practice of open defecation in Ibadan city of Oyo state, since previous studies showed that this largest city in Africa takes the third position in the practice of open defecation after Ekiti and Plateau states of Nigeria. The study was carried out in Bodija, Gege and Akinleye communities of Ibadan.  It aimed at investigating the religious and cultural factors influencing the practice of open defecation as well as the people’s perception about its health implications. The work adopted thematic content analytical procedure in analyzing the qualitative data that was gathered. The results of the findings showed the majority of the respondents have relative knowledge of the adverse effects of open defecation on people’s health, and that the religious hygienic ethics of the extant faith traditions in the area disapprove such practice. While fewer number of the respondents blamed the government for not providing toilet facilities, more than half agreed that constant sanitary inspection, intentional health promotion, serious legislation with penalty by offenders, as well as intensive religious teachings will curb the menace of open defecation practice in Ibadan. Therefore, the work recommends the unified effort of the government health ministry, religious leaders, community leaders and landlords in ensuring the availability of toilet facilities in homes.