Design and construction of household ventilated improved pit latrines: gaps between conventional technical guidelines and construction practices in Cape Coast, Ghana
Open accessAbstract
This study was conducted to identify the gaps that exist between ventilated improved pit (VIP) latrine construction practices in Cape Coast, Ghana, and conventional technical guidelines, and to assess how any non-compliance with technical guidelines influences the users' perception of odour and fly nuisances. An inspection guide was used to assess 127 VIP latrines, while a questionnaire survey was used to obtain feedback from 211 users of the latrines on their perception of odour and fly nuisance. Not a single latrine was found to be fitted with a vent pipe that satisfied the recommended diameter of 150 mm. Aside from the vent pipe diameter, only 5.5% of latrines complied with all four other design guidelines that were assessed. However, with the exception of failure to install insect screens on vent pipes, which was associated with the users seeing flies in the latrine cubicles, failure to comply with other guidelines did not necessarily lead to significantly higher user perception of the targeted nuisance. The findings of the study suggest that user perception of odour in their latrines may be more influenced by non-structural factors such as the management or cleanliness of the latrines rather than their structural designs.
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The 100 mm diameter PVC pipe dominates in all the regions, at 93%, instead of the recommended 150 mm.
“The 100 mm diameter PVC pipe dominates in all the regions (93 %) instead of the recommended 150 mm as reported in earlier studies [19,20,33].”
From Compliance of private ventilated improved pit latrines to odour and fly control guidelines: A technical audit in selected regions of Ghana (2024) · cites this paper as [19]
The cost of the 150 mm diameter pipe seems to justify the use of 100 mm diameter pipes.
“However, the cost of the 150 mm diameter pipe seems to justify the use of the 100 mm diameter pipes.”
From Compliance of private ventilated improved pit latrines to odour and fly control guidelines: A technical audit in selected regions of Ghana (2024) · cites this paper as [19]
In real economic terms, the difference in price between the 150 mm and 100 mm diameter pipes was said to be equivalent to a little more than a week's earning based on Ghana's minimum wage at the time of Obeng et al.'s study.
“In real economic terms, the difference in price was said to be equivalent to a little more than a week's earning based on Ghana's minimum wage at the time of their study.”
From Compliance of private ventilated improved pit latrines to odour and fly control guidelines: A technical audit in selected regions of Ghana (2024) · cites this paper as [19]
The cost of the 150 mm diameter pipe in Cape Coast was found to be about thrice that of the 100 mm diameter pipe.
“The cost of the 150 mm diameter pipe in Cape Coast was found to be about thrice that of the 100 mm diameter pipe.”
From Compliance of private ventilated improved pit latrines to odour and fly control guidelines: A technical audit in selected regions of Ghana (2024) · cites this paper as [19]
The 150 mm diameter pipe is not readily available in small neighbourhood plumbing shops.
“Besides, they noted that the 150 mm diameter pipe is not readily available in small neighbourhood plumbing shops.”
From Compliance of private ventilated improved pit latrines to odour and fly control guidelines: A technical audit in selected regions of Ghana (2024) · cites this paper as [19]
Purchasing a 150 mm diameter pipe required commuting to large plumbing shops in city centres and bearing extra transport cost.
“Therefore, one had to commute to large plumbing shops in city centres to purchase one and bear the extra cost of transporting it back to the latrine construction site.”
From Compliance of private ventilated improved pit latrines to odour and fly control guidelines: A technical audit in selected regions of Ghana (2024) · cites this paper as [19]
Obeng et al. observed that the use of the 150 mm diameter PVC pipe in Cape Coast was problematic for many households due to cost and availability.
“Obeng et al. [19] observed that the use of the 150 mm diameter PVC pipe in Cape Coast was problematic for many households due to the cost and availability.”
From Compliance of private ventilated improved pit latrines to odour and fly control guidelines: A technical audit in selected regions of Ghana (2024) · cites this paper as [19]
Obeng et al. found no specific contents on the fundamental design and construction principles of non-sewered sanitation systems in the curriculum of Building Construction and Plumbing programmes of second-cycle TVET institutions in Ghana.
“Unfortunately, Obeng et al. [19] found no specific contents on the fundamental design and construction principles of non-sewered sanitation systems in the curriculum of Building Construction and Plumbing programmes of second-cycle TVET institutions in Ghana.”
From Compliance of private ventilated improved pit latrines to odour and fly control guidelines: A technical audit in selected regions of Ghana (2024) · cites this paper as [19]
Cites
Pit Latrines and Their Impacts on Groundwater Quality: A Systematic Review
Graham, J. P., & Polizzotto, M. L. (2013) · Environmental Health Perspectives · doi:10.1289/ehp.1206028 · Cited by 431 · see citing works
Nakagiri, A., Niwagaba, C. B., Nyenje, P. M., Kulabako, R. N., Tumuhairwe, J. B., & Kansiime, F. (2015) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/s12889-016-2772-z · Cited by 133 · see citing works
Faecal Sludge Management Systems
Strande, L., & Brdjanovic, D. (2014) · doi:10.26530/oapen_578132 · Cited by 113 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Around the world, an estimated 2.7 billion people depend on on-site sanitation systems (Strande 2014).”
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Obeng, P. A., Donkor, E. A., Awere, E., Oduro-Kwarteng, S., Obeng, P. A., & Awuah, E. (2024) · Heliyon · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e33980 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“Obeng et al. [19] observed that the use of the 150 mm diameter PVC pipe in Cape Coast was problematic for many households due to the cost and availability.”
BackgroundMethodResultSelf-citation
- Authors
- Obeng, P. A., Obeng, P. A., & Awere, E.
- Affiliations
- University of Cape Coast (GH)
- Cape Coast Technical University (GH)
- Corresponding author
- Obeng, Peter Appiah
- Venue
- Water Practice and Technology
- Publisher
- IWA Publishing
- Published
- 2019-09-24
- Volume
- 14
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 825-836
- ISSN
- 1751-231X (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2975384242
- Cited by
- 6
- References
- 3
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2020: 1
- FWCI
- 0.38
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Water Practice & Technology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Child Nutrition and Water Access
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Waste Management and Disposal › Wastewater Treatment and Reuse
- Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Gender Studies and Social Issues
- Keywords
- ventilated improved pit latrines, insect screens, odour perception, latrine design, household sanitation, Cape Coast, Ghana
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