The Role of the SaTo Pan Toilet Technologies in Advancing Progress in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Sector

Abstract

The United Nation’s (UN) 6th Sustainable Development Goal seeks to enable the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030 (UN Sustainable Development Goals Platform). Lusaka, Zambia has thirteen peri-urban areas (PUAs), all with poor sanitation conditions (WHO / UNICEF). The SaToTM brand, created by the LIXIL Corporation, offers a suite of frontier sanitation technologies including various safe and affordable toilet products for use in lower-and middle-income countries (LMICs) in Africa and Asia. This study examines the potential market demand and environment for the SaToTM Pan Sit and Squat toilets in the Bauleni PUA. In Lusaka, landlords (LLs) hold the decision-making power regarding household-based infrastructure; therefore, this study measures LL interest in the SaToTM Pan Toilet technologies for the LL’s personal and familial use as well as for use by their tenants. 30 semi-structured interviews with conveniently sampled, adult LL residents of Bauleni were conducted to capture their demographic, sanitation, and toilet history status as well as their SaToTM Pan product interaction. Quantitative data was analyzed in Stata; qualitative data was analyzed via thematic content analysis. Results indicate that there is an overarching positive preference toward the SaToTM Pan Sit toilet compared to all other presented sanitation technology alternatives. Conducting a SaToTM Pan Sit toilet user trial and social marketing campaign pilot could potentially aid in efforts to effectively and affordably decrease the incidence of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH)-related disease transmission in Zambia.