Assessment of Sanitation Facilities at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana

Abstract

Even though a university is a privileged institution where high level of sanitation is expected to be observed, university students continue to experience sanitation related diseases. The University of Cape Coast was plagued with outbreaks of cholera in 2015 and 2016. This study therefore aimed at assessing the sanitation facilities as well as investigating students' attitudes towards the sanitary facilities on the campus of the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. This was a cross sectional descriptive study conducted among 422 students who resided in the university's halls of residence from January 2018 to February 2018. Both quantitative and qualitative study methods were used to collect data. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used to gather data on students' assessment of sanitary facilities on campus. The study found the state of sanitary facilities in the halls and lecture theatres to be generally good. However, most halls were found to be overcrowded with insufficient toilets and wash rooms for students. Most of the toilets (70%) and bath rooms (62.5%) inspected were clean. All (100%) of toilets had hand washing basins. Most (92.5%) of the toilets did not have any anal cleaning materials at the time of inspection. Accommodation and sanitation facilities in the halls were found to be inadequate despite some expansions in toilets and wash rooms. Availability of soaps and anal cleaning materials was found to be inadequate. Students' bad behavior as well as inadequate number of cleaning personnel must be addressed so as to improve sanitary conditions on campus. Regular sanitation awareness campaigns and educational sessions should be organized by the environmental health section of the University Health Services to address health issues associated with poor sanitation.