Study of Environmental Sanitation Practices and Diarrhoeal Disease Occurrence in a Peri-Urban Community in Rivers State

Diarrhoeal disease remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children under five in Nigeria, with environmental sanitation practices serving as proximal determinants of transmission. This study examined environmental sanitation practices and their association with diarrhoeal disease occurrence in a peri-urban community in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State, South South Nigeria. A cross-sectional household survey was conducted among 260 households with at least one child under five years, selected through systematic random sampling. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and direct environmental observation. Sanitation practices assessed included access to improved latrines, safe water sources, handwashing with soap, solid waste disposal, and food storage practices. Diarrhoeal disease occurrence in the preceding two weeks was the primary outcome. Results showed that 47.3 percent of households had access to improved sanitation facilities, and only 38.5 percent had reliable access to safe water. Handwashing with soap before food preparation was practised consistently in 31.2 percent of households. The two-week prevalence of diarrhoea in children under five was 28.8 percent. Inadequate latrine access (OR 2.9; p < 0.001), unsafe water sources (OR 2.4; p < 0.001), and absence of handwashing practice (OR 2.7; p < 0.001) were significant predictors of diarrhoeal disease. The study recommends WASH programme acceleration, community hygiene promotion, and local government investment in sanitation infrastructure in Obio-Akpor peri-urban communities. Keywords: environmental sanitation, diarrhoeal disease, WASH, peri-urban community, Rivers State