The Use of Community-led Total Sanitation (Clts) in the Evaluation of Sanitation and Hygiene Situation Among the Residents of Tafawa- Balewa Town, Bauchi State, Nigeria

The use of Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) has over time improved sanitation situation and reduced open defecation in many rural and low-income areas across the world. Previous studies highlight its health benefits, including reduced diarrheal diseases and increased latrine ownership, influenced by education, economic status, and cultural factors. However, the sustainability of CLTS interventions remains underexplored. This study assesses the viability of sanitation facilities and community practices among the households in Tafawa Balewa communities in Bauchi State, Nigeria. Data for this study were obtained through probability sampling of 397 households in five wards using a structured questionnaire, and SPSS was used for analysis. The results of this survey showed that 42% of people stated that triggering events were effective principles for CLTS in the area, indicating an improvement in sanitation behavior. Technical difficulties still exist, though, 23% of respondents held the view that multiple factors led to high rates of open defecation in the area and 34% also stated that all hands must be on deck for all sanitation and hygiene initiatives in the area to succeed. Concerns about financial sustainability are also present, as 20.6% of respondents can only afford to build latrines and not modern toilets. The result of this study also showed that the construction of latrines was prioritized over other aspects of environmental sanitation because there was very little scalability. Among the stakeholders, monitoring and follow-up were considered to be inadequate. Although fecal sludge-based fertilizers are widely accepted in the community, utilizing charcoal made from feces is viewed with suspicion. The report suggests improved infrastructure, funding, sludge management education, and regulatory changes to increase the long-term CLTS impact in order to guarantee sustainability in Tafawa-Balewa Town, Bauchi state, Nigeria.