An Exploration of The Socio-Economic State of Household Sanitation Project Beneficiaries in George Compound.

Abstract: The study explored the perceived solutions to the sanitation challenges in George Compound in Lusaka, Zambia. The study objective was to assess the socio-economic situation of the beneficiaries of Household Sanitation Project in George Compound. The researcher adopted the social constructivist ontology, knowledge was co-constructed with participants through an interpretive phenomenological approach, and reflexive thematic analysis. The sample was selected purposively and determined using data saturation, ensuring rich, contextual insights from relevant stakeholders. The study revealed that poor sanitation affects men and women differently and it was further observed that women are more affected due to their biological nature, which limit their ability to use public spaces for relief, unlike men who can use open areas. The construction of toilets under the project helped address gender-specific concerns related to sanitation. Moreover, most study participants noted that in the past, cultural norms discriminated against women and favoured men. Similarly, the researcher disclosed that most study participants revealed that toilets constructed by LWSC significantly reduced the disease burden for both men and women. Furthermore, the study revealed that the company offered flexible payment options, making it easier for beneficiaries to access sanitation products. Theoretically, it corroborates systems theory by illustrating the interrelated roles of stakeholders in sustainable sanitation. For policy, the study emphasizes integrated, multi-stakeholder interventions informed by practical experiences. Practically, it highlights the need for community sensitization and engagement to ensure sustainability of sanitation innovations. Knowledge-wise, the study provides contextual evidence specific to George Compound, documenting challenges, innovations, and operational insights that can inform similar peri-urban settings. In conclusion, addressing sanitation challenges in peri-urban Lusaka requires a holistic, systems-oriented approach that integrates infrastructure, regulation, education, cultural socialization, and community participation to ensure equitable, sustainable, and effective on-site sanitation services.

On-Site Sanitation, Gender Inclusion, Pit Emptying Services

1. Agenda 2063: The Africa we want. (2015). African Union Commission. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Ahmed, S. K. (2024). The pillars of trustworthiness in qualitative research. Journal of Medicine, Surgery, and Public Health, 2, 100051. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.glmedi.2024.100051 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Ahmed, Sk. K., & Ahmed, S. S. (2017). Socio-cultural acceptability of urine diverted composting toilets: A review of literature for possible adoption in peri-urban areas as a sustainable sanitation solution. 020043. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5018561 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Alagidede, P., & Alagidede, A. N. (2016). The public health effects of water and sanitation in selected West African countries. Public Health, 130, 59–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2015.07.037 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Bain, R., Johnston, R., Mitis, F., Chatterley, C., & Slaymaker, T. (2018). Establishing Sustainable Development Goal Baselines for Household Drinking Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Services. Water, 10(12), 1711. https://doi.org/10.3390/w10121711 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Crook, R., & Ayee, J. (2006). Urban Service Partnerships, ‘Street-Level Bureaucrats’ and Environmental Sanitation in Kumasi and Accra, Ghana: Coping with Organisational Change in the Public Bureaucracy. Development Policy Review, 24(1), 51–73. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-7679.2006.00313.x [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Dijk. (2012). GTZ Sanitation Project in Koulikoro. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Donacho, D. O., Tucho, G. T., Soboksa, N. E., Faro, M. H., & Hailu, A. B. (2023). Qualitative Analysis of Onsite Sanitation Challenges in an Urban Setting: The Case of Jimma Town, Ethiopia. Environmental Health Insights, 17, 11786302231154421. https://doi.org/10.1177/11786302231154421 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Eryilmaz, Ö. (2022). Are Dissertations Trustworthy Enough? The case of Turkish Ph.D. Dissertations on Social Studies Education. Participatory Educational Research, 9(3), 344–361. https://doi.org/10.17275/per.22.70.9.3 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Faundez, J. (2016). Douglass North’s Theory of Institutions: Lessons for Law and Development. Hague Journal on the Rule of Law, 8(2), 373–419. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40803-016-0028-8 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Keeves. (1997). Educational research, methodology and measurement : Handbook, an international handbook (2nd ed.). Pergamon. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Kivunja, C., & Kuyini, A. B. (2017). Understanding and Applying Research Paradigms in Educational Contexts. International Journal of Higher Education, 6(5), 26. https://doi.org/10.5430/ijhe.v6n5p26 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Lerebours, A., Scott, R., Sansom, K., & Kayaga, S. (2022). Barriers and Enablers to the Regulation of Sanitation Services: A Framework for Emptying and Transport Services in Sub-Saharan African Cities. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 10, 869403. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2022.869403 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Mensah, J., Amoah, J. O., Mattah, P. A. D., & Mensah, A. (2023). Causes and effects of weak enforcement of environmental sanitation laws in Ghana. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 33(5), 663–684. https://doi.org/10.1080/10911359.2022.2080146 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Mensah, J., Mattah, P. A. D., Amoah, J. O., & Mattah, M. M. (2022). Public compliance with environmental sanitation regulations in Ghana. Open Health, 3(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1515/openhe-2022-0001 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Scotland, J. (2012). Exploring the Philosophical Underpinnings of Research: Relating Ontology and Epistemology to the Methodology and Methods of the Scientific, Interpretive, and Critical Research Paradigms. English Language Teaching, 5(9), p9. https://doi.org/10.5539/elt.v5n9p9 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. SNV. (2024). Advancing sanitation governance in Zambia [A snapshot of the strengthened regulations for onsite sanitation and faecal sludge management]. SNV. https://www.snv.org/assets/downloads/f/191310/x/477d30c695/2024-advancing-sanitation-governance-zm-snv.pdf [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Suri, H. (2011). Purposeful Sampling in Qualitative Research Synthesis. Qualitative Research Journal, 11(2), [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Decision Tree and Automatic Linear Modeling Approaches to Predict Body Weight in Indigenous Sabi Sheep and Matebele Goat Females of Zimbabwe
• Microcontroller – Based Automatic Railway Crossing Control and Track Obstacle Monitoring System
• Modelling the Role of Absorptive Capacity in Foreign Direct Investment - Economic Growth Nexus: A Focus on South Africa’s Manufacturing Sector
• AI-Powered Wristband for Accurate BAC Monitoring Using Smart Data Fusion
• Climate Change Impacts on Different Regions